Union Leadership can not emphasize enough…

Since the arrival of the current HR Coordinator, Jaqueline Lopez, and Payroll Coordinator, Jesus Hernandez, there have been many  “errors” and “mistakes” associated with employee paychecks & compensation.  So many, it is hard to accept any longer that these are indeed “errors” and “mistakes.”

Those  “errors” and “mistakes” have included, but are not limited to:

       * Underpaying employees (in some cases, for several years), and then refusing to resolve the financial impact on employees for CUSD’s mistakes.

      * Miscoding employee paychecks (in some cases, for several years), and now demanding that employees “pay back” many thousands of dollars (Ex. up to $8,000) immediately without due consideration given to the financial impact on employees.

     * Failing to sign employees up for the HEALTHCARE plans they earned and are eligible to receive, and then refusing to resolve the financial impact on employees.

     * Punishing employees by unlawfully cancelling their  HEALTHCARE plan/s,  while claiming that CUSD did not cancel said plan/s.  This has forced employees to spend many hours tracking down proof of HEALTHCARE cancellation, while CUSD continues to refuse to compensate employees for the resultant medical costs and lost HEALTHCARE premiums.

    * Failing to properly record employee union membership, which sets up a scenario where CUSD may refuse (i.e. illegally) to honor the rights afforded to union members.  Then CUSD ‘ghosts’ Union Leadership and the impacted employees when they try to resolve the matter.

    * Failing to include vacation pay and leave pay on paychecks, whether associated with routine leave events or even significant health events.  These errors have required employees on leave, several who are very ill, to invest hours, days, and even weeks chasing District administrators in attempts to resolve CUSD’s mistakes.  All the while, District officials ignore their attempts and pleas for resolution.

    * Refusing to place District employees on the correct salary schedule cell, even after employees have verified they possess the required credits and credentials cited in the CLASSIFIED & CERTIFICATED collective bargaining agreements.  (See attached.)

    * Requiring employees to engage in the formal GRIEVANCE PROCESS to force District administrators to resolve the violations associated with their “errors” and “mistakes,” and then requiring those same employees to seek legal action to get CUSD to honor its contractual obligations.

It is clear that HR Coordinator Lopez (earning approx. $150,000 / year), Payroll Coordinator Hernandez (earning $130,000/ year), Superintendent Rigby (earning over $250,000 / year), and Assistant Superintendent, Jason Kaff (earning approx. $200,000 / year), have little concern for those at the lowest end of the CUSD’s pay-scale; even when they are informed (in detail) about the economic, physical, and emotional harm employees are suffering as a result of the District’s “errors” and “mistakes.”   It is clear they neither understand the impact on those barely earning, and in many cases, not even earning a living wage in our community.

CUSD’s officials remain much more focused on their authority to direct District employees, than their responsibility to SUPPORT those same District employees.  Of course, this not only has an impact on employees, it negatively impacts District students and families.  No wonder over 65 District employees resigned, retired early, and / or left the District during the 23-24 school year, while another over 75 District employees did the same during the 24-25 school year. (as per the District records procured via the “Public Information Request” process / attached)

If you are experiencing any problems, you may contact the following people in an effort to resolve the DIstrict’s mistakes.

     – HR Coordinator, Jaqueline Lopez :  jaqueline.lopezhr@cusd.net

     – PAYROLL Coordinator, Jesus Hernandez :  jesus.hernandez@cusd.net

     – Superintendent Diana Rigby : drigby@cusd.net

     – Assistant Superintendent Jason Kaff : jason.kaff@cusd.net

    – CAUSE Leadership :  cause.cusd@gmail.com

    – CAUSE President, j. Hotchner : jhotchner@gmail.com

      ~ CAUSE Leadership