UC Berkeley to begin layoffs necessitated by state budget cuts
BERKELEY – With the state budget finalized, UC Berkeley will begin implementing some employee layoffs as part of an overall strategy to meet an estimated $25.5 million cut in state funding for fiscal year 2003-04.
"The implementation of layoffs is a last resort," said Paul Gray, executive vice chancellor and provost. "Our employees are our greatest asset and we have worked hard to address budget cuts through consolidation and reorganization. But the magnitude of the shortfall we face makes these actions necessary."
Managers will begin notifying some employees of impending layoffs this week, in accordance with union contracts and staff policies.
The number of people who will be laid off or face involuntary reductions in time is not yet fully known. It is anticipated that the campus as a whole will be eliminating the equivalent of more than 200 full-time positions. Many of these are vacant positions that have been left open in anticipation of state funding cuts.
These actions will vary by department and control unit, with the largest number of layoffs anticipated in the Business and Administrative Services control unit, which has the largest number of non-academic, state-funded workers.
These layoffs should not affect classroom instruction, consistent with the campus's objective to preserve the quality of the educational experience.
The campus is providing resources to assist employees who are laid off. Below are links to information available online.
- The complete staff policy (for non-represented employees) on layoffs and reductions in time, including details on preferential rehiring and severance pay.
- Bargaining agreements and other information on union contracts.
- General information on what to expect in a layoff.
The NewsCenter will continue to post updates as details become available.