July 25, 2003|By Ivan Penn | Ivan Penn,SUN STAFF
Employees at Morgan State University filed a complaint against the school yesterday, saying it failed to involve the union in discussions about possible layoffs and other cost-saving measures that could result from a fresh round of statewide budget cuts.
In the six-page complaint to the State Higher Education Labor Relations Board, union officials accused the administration of holding secret discussions about layoffs with the school's Board of Regents while refusing to provide information to employees - an allegation the administration denies.
"The university has a legal obligation to be forthcoming about plans for layoffs among other things," said Joe Lawrence, a spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. "If these proposals merit discussion by the president and the regents, certainly it merits discussion with the union."
Erica Lell, assistant executive director of the labor relations board, said the complaint is being processed.
The union also staged a town hall meeting with about 50 Morgan State employees yesterday to discuss workers' concerns.
Anxiety about layoffs and other cost-saving measures continues to rise as state workers await word on how Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. plans to balance the state's budget. Ehrlich requested in the spring that the state comptroller withhold from the university system $40 million this year on top of $80 million cut last year. The additional cut, which would be returned if the economy improves, is part of the governor's attempt to reduce a looming $1 billion shortfall.
Henry Fawell, a spokesman for the governor, said yesterday that no announcement of budget cuts is scheduled.
Clint Coleman, Morgan State spokesman, said the union's allegations against the university are unfounded because there are no specific plans for layoffs. Coleman said university President Earl S. Richardson recently asked his budget staff to prepare a list of ways the budget could be reduced in the event the state requires more cuts, but the items listed - such as tuition increases, furloughs, salary cuts and layoffs - were just discussion points.
"No additional budget cuts have been announced by the state administration," Coleman said. "All of this has been an exercise."
The university furloughed employees for two days and raised tuition for the coming academic year by 9 percent to absorb early budget cuts.
Employees said they fear the administration will further deplete benefits, reduce pay or even terminate staff to resolve budget problems.
Sen. Joan Carter Conway, whose district includes Morgan State, said she intends to oppose any proposal to lay off workers.
"We will not cut rank and file," Conway told the Morgan employees at yesterday's meeting. Wearing stickers that read, "Some cuts don't heal" and "Make students and staff a priority," Morgan State workers vowed to fight for their jobs.
At a time when the state is spending tens of millions of dollars on construction projects, some union members said they believe it is unfair for the state to consider cutting the workers who help keep the university running.
"Some of us have brought supplies from our own homes," said Geron Mackall, treasurer of AFSCME Local 1885, which represents Morgan. "We are the true movers and shakers. When they yell, `Lights, camera, action,' we make it happen."
