Standing With Our Members During County Layoffs

As many of you know, the County of San Luis Obispo is facing a budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, resulting in plans to eliminate programs and lay off employees across various departments. While this is an extraordinarily difficult time for affected employees and their families, SLOCEA remains committed to standing by our members and fulfilling our critical role as their exclusive representative.

The Layoff Process

The decision to implement layoffs is a managerial right, and in San Luis Obispo County, the process and order of layoffs are outlined in the Civil Service Rules. Layoffs are determined at the departmental level, with each department making a recommendation to the Administrative Office regarding which programs and positions should be eliminated to meet the proposed budget cuts. The department identifies the classifications and the number of positions within each impacted classification to reduce. Once finalized by management, the Civil Service Rules determine the order in which employees within these classifications are affected.

Approximately 45 SLOCEA-represented employees have been directly impacted by the layoffs, with more than 125 positions in SLOCEA-represented bargaining units eliminated from the County’s position allocation list (approximately 80 vacant positions and 45 filled positions).

Impacted employees were given notice in April of layoffs effective June 30. However, the process remains complex and may continue to affect additional employees, as those with seniority may have bumping rights into classifications where they previously held permanent status. These bumping rights can create a domino effect, as impacted employees displace others, potentially resulting in layoffs for individuals not originally identified.

SLOCEA’s Role

We recognize the uncertainty, frustration, and anxiety that layoffs create — not only for those directly affected but for the entire workforce. Every County employee’s role is vital, and the effects of these decisions ripple throughout our community.

SLOCEA’s role in this process is clear: to protect the rights of our members, ensure that all contractual and legal obligations are honored, and advocate for every possible alternative or mitigation. From the moment the County notified us of potential layoffs, our team has been fully engaged in supporting members and safeguarding their rights.

Additionally, SLOCEA is engaging with the County in impact bargaining — negotiations focused on how these layoffs are implemented and what measures can be taken to minimize harm to employees.

What Is Impact Bargaining?

Impact bargaining is a specific legal right afforded to unions when an employer makes a decision that affects the terms and conditions of employment. While employers have the right to manage budgets and operations, they must negotiate with the union over the "impacts and effects" of those decisions.

For these layoffs, SLOCEA has scheduled negotiations with the County over critical issues, including the impacts on members who are laid off, as well as the workload impacts on those who remain.

SLOCEA’s staff and legal team are actively communicating with the County to demand transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to all labor laws, Civil Service Rules, and contract provisions.

Protecting and Supporting Our Members

Beyond formal negotiations, SLOCEA is providing support at both the individual and organizational levels to help members navigate this difficult time.

Direct Support for Impacted Members:

One-on-one consultations to review individual layoff notices and advise on rights and options.
Assistance from labor staff to help members understand bumping rights, reemployment lists, and available next steps.

Ongoing Support for All Members:

Regular communication to ensure that all members — not just those directly affected — stay informed about developments, outcomes, and available resources.
Advocacy during impact bargaining to address not only the effects on laid-off employees but also the workload and operational impacts on those who remain.

We understand that the effects of layoffs are personal and profound. Our goal is to ensure that every member feels supported, heard, and advocated for at every stage.

SLOCEA's Commitment

This situation highlights why union representation matters. When layoffs occur, having an advocate at the table — someone who knows your rights, understands the system, and is prepared to fight for fairness — makes a critical difference. We will continue working tirelessly to protect your rights, to minimize the number of layoffs wherever possible, and to support every employee impacted during this difficult transition.

For resources and more information on the layoff process, please visit the Layoffs Resource page on the County’s website.

If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the SLOCEA office. We are here for you.