Rescue California

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CHP copes with first-ever layoffs
Employees received notifications on possible dismissals due to budget cuts.

June 25, 2003

SACRAMENTO – The state officially notified some 1,500 Highway Patrol employees - including 370 uniformed officers - that they could face layoffs after Oct. 31 because of California's unprecedented budget shortage.

"Our hope is that it can be worked out," CHP spokesman Tom Marshall said. "We're absolutely committed to continuing our mission of homeland security and safety."

Jon Hamm, the executive director of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, said the action marked the first time that CHP uniformed personnel have been formally told that they could lose their jobs.

"We were expecting these notices," Hamm said. "They are a potential for layoffs, but we don't really know that anyone is going to get laid off."

The newest CHP officers – cadets who graduated less than two weeks ago from the CHP academy – were among those receiving the notices, known as "surplus notices."

A total of 469 notices were sent out, but there are currently 99 vacancies, leaving 370 uniformed offices who will actually receive the notification, Hamm said. Marshall said 1,100 non uniformed employees could be affected.

The mailings meet the legal requirement of 120-day advance notice of a possible layoff. Workers who are then laid off would receive a final, 30-day notice, said Lynelle Jolley, a spokeswoman of the Department of Personnel Administration.

The CHP, founded in the 1920s, has about 10,800 employees – including 5,800 uniformed officers, about 1,200 uniformed supervisors and managers and the rest non- uniformed personnel, Hamm said. Aside from its traffic duties, the CHP also is responsible for security at the Capitol, state office buildings and the California Aqueduct, among other facilities.

The surplus notices went to CHP patrol officers, clerical staff and others statewide. Earlier in the month, the state sent similar notices to others in state employment.

Thus far, a total of 8,000 to 10,000 surplus notices have been mailed as part of Gov. Gray Davis' administration's attempt to cover a $38.2 billion budget shortage. About half of those who receive the notices actually will be laid off, Jolley said.

The potential CHP cuts would save an estimated $90 million in 2003-04. Jolley said state personnel cuts, including reduced salaries and benefits, could save $855 million throughout government.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTACT US: (916) 449-6687 or jhoward@ocregister.com