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| Colo. Prison Layoffs Underway |
| By Canon City Daily Record |
| Published: 07/14/2003 |
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As of July 2, 32 individuals statewide will be laid off from their jobs at the Colorado Department of Corrections because of state budget cuts that forced the DOC to cut $25 million from their budget. In May, 150 employees were notified that their positions were being eliminated, but the DOC has been able to reinstate 83 of those through relocating, early retirement and unfilled positions. However, there is still concern and some confusion among DOC employees about the layoffs. 'The budget cuts were forced upon us,' said DOC public information officer Alison Morgan. 'We got a call from the Joint Budget Committee in March saying 'you'll have to come up with $25 and a half million.' We can't sustain those deep budget cuts and not cut jobs.' Many who received notification of job cuts have contacted their state representatives for some answers. The most widespread complaint Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, has heard from employees is that the DOC did not clearly explain what was going to happen to them and their jobs. There is 'definite input from employees that they don't know what's going on,' McFadyen said. She said employees are not sure if getting a layoff letter really means they are laid off or if they are going to be transferred to another position somewhere else. Some employees decided to bring their complaints to the courtroom. On June 23, more than 50 DOC employees filed a lawsuit against the DOC in Pueblo District Court, claiming their job cuts were motivated by age discrimination and retaliation for discrimination claims against the DOC in the past. According to the suit, about 40 employees with seniority rights could keep their jobs if they accepted positions farther away. This practice is known as bumping. Chapter 7 of the State Personnel Board Rules says 'certified employees may have rights to fill a vacant position or to 'bump' into another worker with less seniority.' Morgan said that out of the 150 employees that were notified about job cuts, 32 will be laid off, 17 have no retention rights, 11 declined positions offered them and four terminated their relationship with the DOC. The remainder are being bumped into other positions. Where they are bumped to depends on state personnel rules, Morgan said. Some employees may be transferred over 50 miles away from their current location while some may be transferred under 50 miles away, she said. |
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