As you may have noted in our budget information and in the latest issue of Union Action as well as at our recent budget teach-in, AFT 2121 has been pointing out that next year District revenues are expected to return to pre-recession levels.
At the most recent bargaining session with the District (May 6, 2013), AFT negotiators were presented with an argument explaining the level and extent of the cuts to CCSF over the last years—cuts we all agree have been significant and that all of us at the College have experienced, up-close and personal. These losses are being used to justify permanent wage cuts to faculty and takebacks and cuts to other employees at CCSF. The data was presented in further response from District negotiators to AFT’s recent comprehensive counterproposal (click the links to review recent negotiations updates). District data showed in excess of $30 million in losses in State funding this year (2012-13) compared to 2006-07.
This $30 million accounting included cuts in revenue to the Unrestricted General Fund as well as $11.5 million in cuts to the categoricals budget (EOPS, DSPS, CalWorks, Basic Skills, etc.). However, we quickly clarified that several million dollars in the list were being double-counted, bringing the total losses to perhaps $26.5 million. And upon further examination, the District acknowledged that the actual restricted funds deficit this year due to losses in state categorical funding has dropped to less than $2 million. (In fact, for 2013-14, there is reason to expect some restoration to categoricals, as well.) The financial picture in 2013-14 continues to look bright for the College even absent upcoming clarity about the state budget, expected over the next weeks and in June. These shifts in funding are thanks to voters in S.F. and statewide and their commitment to refund public education.
There is no question that the losses in State funding have been devastating to CCSF. That the College has managed to survive is testament to huge cuts and sacrifices by employees and students. Through tremendous effort, both Prop A and Prop 30 passed and new funding is finally coming back to the College, which even by the District’s own conservative projections will restore all General Fund revenues in 2013-14, and likely more.
As AFT negotiators pointed out in Monday’s session in response to this documentation on the magnitude of the losses, this recovery renders any ongoing wage reduction illegitimate.
AFT continues to demand a reordering of priorities in the “upside down” 2013/14 Tentative Budget. Join us in protest at the Thursday, May 23, Board of Trustees meeting at 5pm (MUB 140) for more information and to turn the budget right side up!
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