SWEB & Staff Update Furloughs May 15, 2009

SWEB AND STAFF UPDATE

Friday, May 15, 2009

Furlough meeting with the Governor’s office

Wes Johnson and I met 2 representatives from OA (the Office of Administration) this morning at their request to discuss possible permanent furloughs. AFSCME representatives were there as well.

Other than confirming that there will be about 200 furloughs due to the closure of Scotland and Scranton Schools, they had no concrete furloughs. That does not mean there will be no permanent furloughs. According to OA the number of furloughs will depend on the final budget and any cuts made to programs and/or services due to that budget. It is a moving target. There will be no permanent furloughs (other than Scotland and Scranton Schools) until there is a budget in place.

The budget deficit as of today is $2.6 billion and expected to rise before the end of the fiscal year June 30, 2009. The Governor’s proposed budget was based on a deficit of $2.3 billion.

The Unions were NOT given a 30-day furlough notice at this point. There is a REAL possibility of permanent furloughs; the deficit will determine the number.

This makes our Human Services Campaign incredibly important. Three different radio ads are airing statewide and we have members and staff lined up on many radio shows to talk about the campaign, the waste, the cost savings and the demand to fully fund public services. PLEASE step up and do your part when asked to participate – the job you save may be your own!

More information will follow as it becomes available.

In attendance for the Union:                                   In attendance for the commonwealth:

Kathy Jellison, President, SEIU 668 PSSU                 Jay Gasdaska, Office of Admin.

Wes Johnson, SEIU 668 PSSU                                    Jim Honchar, Office of Admin.

Dave Fillman, Executive Director, AFSCME    

Karen Black, AFSCME