SRJC Students Win Minimum Wage Fight

Letter from President Frank Chong

The rising cost of living in Sonoma County has created many challenges for our community and our students. In an effort to support our students, SRJC is committed to raising student wages to $15 per hour within the next 15 months;  a goal that will bring student wages to this rate 1 ½ years ahead of the state’s mandated deadline of January 2022.

Over the past month, Board members and District administrators met with students to hear their concerns and have acted quickly and in good faith to address this matter. Yesterday, the Board of Trustees approved the following accelerated phase-in of student wage increases:

• April 2019 – Increase from $12 to $13 per hour
• July 2019 – Increase from $13 to $14 per hour
• July 2020 – Increase from $14 to $15 per hour

As you’re aware, the District is still working to resolve a financial deficit of over $7 million by 2020/2021. The increase to $15 per hour for student wages will require $486,000 in new, ongoing expenses that were not previously budgeted for this new implementation timeline. Currently, the District has identified sufficient funding to support an immediate student wage increase starting in April from $12 to $13 without any reduction to student employment hours.

We are working to identify additional funding to support the future wage increases, while avoiding a reduction in student employment hours, but do not currently have a solution. As a result, additional raises beyond $13 per hour could result in a reduction of hours, although we are trying to avoid that outcome. The proposed phased-in approach will provide us additional time to try to identify additional funding.

Students have inquired about utilizing savings from the upcoming Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP) to support the increase in student wages. It is unknown what the amount of net savings from the SERP will be, if any, until the enrollment period has closed. It is highly unlikely it will completely address the entire deficit the District is facing, and as such the District is not in a position to utilize SERP savings to fund student wages.

Students have also raised concerns that the duties from vacated positions could be reassigned to student employees as a result of the SERP. The District will not reassign the duties of vacated classified positions to students and is committed to ensuring that student employees are properly utilized, within the guidelines of their assigned roles. Human Resources and Student Employment will be providing training to all administrators and department chairs to ensure that student employees are utilized appropriately, within the scope of their duties.

The District is committed to collaborating with students on a positive resolution on this matter. We continue to welcome student input and applaud the courage of those who share their struggles. We want all students to know that their voices are heard and we are working diligently and with honesty on their behalf to address these concerns.

Sincerely,

Frank Chong, Ed.D.

President/Superintendent