News

New GSW Chapter sends open letter to leadership

Workers at Georgia Southwestern recently delivered an open letter to President Weaver and Provost Smith urging them to advocate for a USG mask mandate and to model responsible mask wearing behavior

Just Released: UCWGA Jobs Loss Report

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA JOB CUTS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BLACK EMPLOYEES, SERVICE AND CLERICAL WORKERS AND PART-TIME FACULTY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Georgia College Employee Union Sends Open Letter To University President

[MILLEDGEVILLE, GA December 29—]This morning, the Georgia College (GC) chapter of the United Campus Workers of Georgia (UCWGA) and community supporters sent an

UCWGA-UGA Press Release on UGA Hosting the National Guard on Campus

United Campus Workers of Georgia at UGA denounces UGA hosting the National Guard on campus

“While the nation continues to call for defunding the police and the militarized state, UGA seems to remain oblivious and out of touch. On Saturday, June 6th, UGA passively allowed a convoy of armored vehicles to occupy the parking lot of the Performing Arts Center, and closed off parts of North Campus to host them. The National Guard deploying to Athens was prompted by the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement’s protest for justice for Black lives. 

KSU Chapter Petition: President Whitten, Promise NO Layoffs!

UCWGA KSU Chapter is calling on all KSU workers, students, and concerned community members to sign our petition calling on President Whitten to promise no layoffs. Read more below and click the link to add your name.

Dear President Whitten,

Will you do the right thing? Will you promise no layoffs?

Great news! There is no need for layoffs! The AJC reported on June 3rd, that Governor Kemp will be cutting USG’s budget by 11% instead of the 14% originally planned. While we know that 0% budget cuts to higher education is possible by removing unfair corporate tax breaks, we are glad to see that the Governor responded to the public’s pressure to support public services. KSU along with other USG institutions had already proposed budget cuts based on 14%. Included in those cuts were layoffs that would have saved KSU up to $3.1 million dollars. Luckily, we will need to cut $4.8 million less from KSU’s budget because of the decrease to 11%. This means that without a doubt, none of these proposed layoffs are necessary! 

United Campus Workers of Georgia condemns Proposed Cuts, Proposes Alternatives

United Campus Workers of Georgia demand no layoffs. The University System of Georgia can afford it!

Our Chop From the Top calculators are one tool the union has released as part of our campaign to demand more accountability, democracy, and fairness. Public education should be public!

Even without cuts, the current levels of inequality within the University System of Georgia’s workforce are unacceptable. Sixteen percent of full-time University System of Georgia employees do not make a living wage. So a restructuring of compensation within the USG is imperative regardless of the fate of the Governor’s requested cuts. In order to address both our current situation and the systemic issues within the USG, United Campus Workers of Georgia wants to call attention to two important points: the system has plenty of money, and addressing income disparities would protect jobs and therefore serve students.  

1) The university system has the money to cover the ~$475 million shortfall: The USG is financially healthy with enough in liquid assets and borrowing capacity to make certain that those of us who are the foundation of education in our state can fulfill our educational mission. 

  • In 2019 USG had a combined total of $2.5 billion in current assets (meaning assets the system is able to turn into cash within a year) compared to $930 million in current liabilities, indicating a strong financial position. This included $1.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
  • In 2019 there was $3.1 billion in USG university foundation endowments, including $288 million in unrestricted funds. 
  • In 2019, the USG’s change in net position -- the surplus after all expenses were factored in -- was $426 million. 
  • Credit rating firm Moody’s gives the USG its highest rating of A1 meaning it is low risk and strong investment grade debt. This indicates that USG can access credit markets to borrow at low interest rates.

2) Greater income equality can save our schools: The current furlough plans published by the USG are not progressive enough to maintain the health of our campus workforce.  Many other academic institutions have led by example; Stanford University and the University of Southern California made a 20% pay cut for the President.

  • United Campus Workers of Georgia originally called for no furloughs from those making under $65,000 and a salary cap at $250,000.  This plan would have an extra $4.3 billion in budget savings compared to the USG furlough plan.  This money could be redirected to protecting lower paid workers.
  • UCW’s progressive tiered furlough plan with higher income caps and steeper increases in reductions would save the state even more than the USG furlough plan and provide a 37% surplus.  

 

Interactive "Chop from the Top" Calculators

Salary Cap Calculator

Select your institution, and enter your own numbers to see how much salary caps could save.

High Salary Furlough Calculator

Select your institution, and enter your own numbers to see how much could be redistributed elsewhere in USG by cutting back on the highest salaries.

Our Analysis

1. Savings from 14% to 11% would cover positions slated for elimination:
(all figures in this section are based on USG’s excel sheet released by the AJC) 

  • The original 14% reduction required $361,171,873 in cuts across USG (including non-university entities).  An 11% reduction requires only $283,646,977 in cuts across USG (including non-university entities).  This yields a difference of $77,524,895.  USG cuts included $53,952,428 from 735 layoffs across the system (elimination of currently filled positions)
  • The reduction in cuts means that layoffs are now unnecessary and USG will still have $23,572,467 more than they thought they would.

 

2. Progressive Furloughs and Salary Caps
(*Using 2019 IPEDS data; only including full-time employees with year-long contracts, could be 10 or 12-month according to sheet) 

  • USG current furlough schedule results in: $101,946,293 (although USG spreadsheet released by AJC shows: $80,076,555) 
  • UCWGA’s original suggestion was to have no furloughs under $65,00 and a $250,000 salary cap.  With our plan, we have an extra $4,344,736 in budget savings by cutting those with the highest salaries and protecting lower paid workers.

KSU Chapter Statement on Anti-Racist Actions

KSU’s chapter of the United Campus Workers of Georgia joins with millions around the globe in denouncing the recent police murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd as well as the white vigilante murder of Ahmaud Arbery in our own state.

UCWGA statement on protests against police violence and systemic racism

Like millions around the nation and around the globe, our union was sickened by the footage of the murder of George Floyd by officer Derek Chauvin. And like those same millions, we know that this is not an isolated incident; it has become routine. Rekia Boyd, Laquan McDonald, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Kayla Moore, Eric Garner, Ayianna Jones, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and the names continue.

UCWGA-UGA Statement on George Floyd's murder and Justice for Black Lives rally

KSU Chapter Budget Plan Memo and Press Release

Please see the memorandum that the chapter sent to KSU President Pamela Whitten today, along with with its accompaning release announcement to the press. These communications are responses to KSU's COVID-19 budget plan released to the public on May 22, 2002.

KSU Chapter Budget Plan Press Release, May 28

PDF icon press_release_may_2020_final_2.pdf