Template Letter for Layoff with Bumping Rights of Staff Covered Under the AFSCME Technical Labor Agreement
Rev. 03/30/18

Purpose of a Layoff Letter for an AFSCME Technical Employee with Bumping Rights

To inform the affected AFSCME Technical employee in writing of layoff and bumping rights.

Instructions for using this Template

All fields contained within brackets [ ] are fields which require user modification. Click once on the word within the bracket and type your text. When a choice of paragraphs or sentences is given, be sure to delete the paragraph or sentence not used.

When complete, print this letter on letterhead. Include all required enclosures.

[Click here and type date]

[Click here and type Name]

[Click here and type Address]

Dear [Click here and type Name]:

This letter is to confirm our conversation on [Click here and type date] that you are being laid off from your position as [Click here and type title][Click here and type job code], [Click here and type appointment term][Click here and type appointment type], [Click here and type percent time] in [Click here and type unit]. Your last day of employment will be [Click here and type date]. (Optional: This layoff is not a reflection on the quality of your work).

[Click here and indicate the reason for the layoff].

Employees who have passed probation are eligible per Article 25 of the Agreement with AFSCME Bargaining Unit 7 to:

  • Vacancies in your classification, collegiate/administrative seniority unit, immediate geographic area and within the applicable definition of layoff;
  • Exercise bumping rights;
  • Placement of name on the University layoff list; or
  • Participating in the Layoff Severance Program, if applicable.

There are no vacancies at this time.According to our records,you may have bumping rights to [Click here and type position title] position in our seniority unit. I have arranged a meeting with [Click here and type name of appropriate HR representative or supervisor] on [Click here and type date and time] at [Click here and type place] to receive information regarding these rights. You will have to let [Click here and type HR person] know seven days from the date of this letter if you decide to exercise your option to bump.

If you do not exercise your option to bump, you may have your name placed on the University layoff list by writing to:

Layoff List Coordinator

OHR Operations Center

545 West Bank Office Building

Mail Code 7534A

1300 S 2nd Street

Minneapolis, MN 55454

To have your name placed on the layoff list, you will need to provide:

  • A copy of this letter to the Layoff List Coordinator;
  • A new or updated application online at
  • A written request to the Layoff List Coordinator to have your name placed on the list.You may complete the attached form and fax it to 612-626-7911, mail it to the above address, or send an email request .

The total time your name remains on the layoff list will not exceed [Click here and choose two (2) years (24 consecutive months) or three (3) years (36 consecutive months)]from the date of your layoff. If you decide not to exercise your option to bump, there may be implications to your eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. Call your local WorkforceCenter if you have questions (see attached Important Resource Information).

You should be aware of some guidelines during your notice period and layoff:

  • Once you have provided all of the relevant documentation, you may apply for vacancies to which you have layoff list rights.
  • You may also look for vacancies posted on the U of M Job Center website at which you do not have rights, but for which you might be qualified and in which you may have an interest. Consider applying for these vacant positions.

Further information about layoff can be found in the Article 25 of the AFSCME Technical labor agreement.You also may call [Click here and type HR Director, HR Specialist name or HR Consultant name] at [Click here and type phone number]if you have questions about the layoff process and bumping rights.

The University has a Layoff Severance Program for Civil Service and Union-Represented Employees (“Program”) that applies to employees who meet specified eligibility requirements. Information describing the eligibility criteria, benefits, and conditions of the Program are available online at You may contact the 4-UOHR Call Center if you have questions or wish to schedule an appointment to meet with a Benefit Counselor to review your individual situation.

Please note, if you are eligible for this Program, you have a limited period of time for election. You must complete the agreement form and submit it to your supervisor by your last day of employment.

If you are age 40 years or older, and this layoff is part of a group layoff and/or non-renewal occurring for the same reason, you have at least 45 calendar days to consider whether or not to participate in the Program, and you are entitled to the following additional disclosures regarding the group layoff and/or non-renewal:

  1. The individuals who were included in the group layoff and/or non-renewal and eligible for the Program were selected from within the [Click here and type name of decisional unit(s)] (the “Decisional Unit”) as part of a [Click here and type reason for layoff, e.g. program elimination].
  2. Attached to this letter is a list of the job classifications and ages of all individuals in the Decisional Unit who were selected for layoff and/or non-renewal, andthe ages of all individuals in the Decisional Unit in the same job classifications who were not selected.

Any questions that you may have regarding medical, dental, life and disability insurance and the retirement plan, if applicable, should be directed to the 4-UOHR Call Center at 612-624-UOHR (612-624-8647, 1-800-756-2363).For information regarding unemployment insurance benefits, if applicable, contact your local Minnesota WorkForce Center (see attached Important Resource Information for locations).

Optional: I wish to thank you for your contributions to [Click here and type department name] over the past [Click here and type # of years] years and I wish you success in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

[Click here and type Your Name]

[Click here and type Your Title]

cc: Employee Benefits

Layoff List Coordinator

Employee Relations Consultant

Personnel File [Click here and type Empl. ID#]

Union

Important Information

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

EAP provides cost-free professional consultation and referral services for University employees who need help withpersonal or work difficulties.Spouses and dependants are also eligible for EAP services.

EAP services are provided by
Sand Creek
612-625-2820
888-243-5744

sandcreekeap.com

LSS Financial Counseling

LSS offers employees and their families financial counseling with offices in 11 locations around the state.

LSS Financial Counseling (
Phone:1-800-528-2926

4-UOHR Call Center

To discuss continuation of your health benefits and the Layoff Severance Program and/or to schedule an appointment with a Benefits Counselor:

612-624-UOHR (612-624-8647)

1-800-756-2363

Human Resources – Director or Specialist

[Click here and type HR Director or Specialist’s Name] [Click here and type HR Director or Specialist’s phone number]

Human Resources Consultant

[Click here and type HR Consultant's Name] [Click here and type HR Consultant's phone number]

Dislocated Worker Program

Available at Minnesota WorkForce Centers at 1-888-GET-JOBS (1-888-438-5627) or for a complete list of offices visit:

Services include job seeking skills workshops, job referrals and placement, retraining including the cost of tuition, on the job training, and assessment to enable you to enter into self-employment.

University of Minnesota Layoff List

To be placed on the University of Minnesota Layoff List, complete a staff application online at submit a written request to be placed on the layoff list to or:

Layoff List Coordinator

OHR Operations Center

545 West Bank Office Building

Mail Code 7534A

1300 S 2nd Street

Minneapolis, MN 55454
Fax: 612-626-7911

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Apply for benefits using TELECLAIM 651-296-3644 or outstate 1-877-898-9090. You can also visit this website:

Request to be placed on the University of Minnesota Layoff List

In order to be placed on the University of Minnesota Layoff List, you must have received a written notice of layoff (stating your layoff rights and last day of work), have an updated staff application online at and request in writing to be placed on the layoff list.

Completion of this form shall be considered a request to be placed on the University of Minnesota Layoff List. SEND the completed form to: Layoff List Coordinator, OHR Operations Center, 545 West Bank Office Building, Mail Code 7534A, 1300 S 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454, OR you may fax the completed form to 612-626-7911. ALTERNATIVELY, you may use email to request placement on the Layoff List ().

Name (please print):

Empl. ID #:

Department:

Classification:

Layoff Date:

Please check which of the following required items have been completed:

Updated staff application including current position on-line at

Layoff Notice attached

Signature:

Phone #:

Today’s Date:

Job Titles and Ages of Individuals Considered for Inclusion in the Group Layoff and/or Non-Renewal
Job Title / Age / # Selected / # Not Selected
[Job Class Code and title - one row per age of employee(s) with this title, per examples below]
4982 Laboratory Machinist / 33 / 2 / 0
4982 Laboratory Machinist / 41 / 1 / 1

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