Common Terms

Budget Cut: A “budget cut” refers to the organization’s decision to reduce expenses due to financial constraints or restructuring. Budget cuts may result in reduced services, program changes, or workforce reductions (layoffs). SPPS has been tasked with finding approximately $14.35 million in budget reductions.  Not all budget cuts result in layoffs, but staffing changes may occur depending on operational needs.

Layoff: A “layoff” is the temporary or permanent elimination of a position due to a lack of funding, reduced work, or organizational restructuring (not a termination for misconduct or performance). In the context of layoffs, employees may have additional rights related to seniority, recall, or reassignment, depending on their labor agreement.

Bumping Rights: First and foremost, many unions do not practice “bumping rights” — please refer to your labor agreement. In the context of layoffs, “bumping rights” are privileges granted to senior employees whose positions are eliminated, allowing them to displace less senior employees in other positions within the labor agreement, if qualified. Employees must meet the qualifications and requirements for the position into which they are attempting to bump. Bumping rights and eligibility requirements vary by labor agreement.

Seniority: In the context of layoffs, “seniority” generally refers to an employee’s length of service within the organization and may also include relevant training, licensure, certifications, skills, and experience, as defined by the labor agreement. Seniority is often used as a factor in determining which employees are retained, reassigned, or laid off during workforce reductions. Employees with less seniority may potentially be laid off first. Please refer to your labor agreement for seniority specifications for your specific union.

Bargaining Unit: A bargaining unit is a group of employees within a workplace who are represented by a union for the purpose of contract negotiation (or “collective bargaining”) with management regarding wages, benefits, hours, and working conditions, regardless of union membership status. Even if you do not pay union dues, you are still part of the bargaining unit that represents your position and are covered by the applicable labor agreement. 

RECALL RIGHTS:  In the context of a layoff, recall rights refer to the legal or contractual entitlements of a laid-off employee to be rehired by the same employer if a position becomes available in the future. Recall eligibility, timelines, and procedures vary by labor agreement and may depend on seniority and qualifications. Please refer to your labor agreement for recall rights for your specific union.