Pawlenty to state workers: Take 48 (unpaid) days off

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/41944792.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUss

The deficit prompted the idea; unions call plan a "bomb."

By MARY LYNN SMITH, Star Tribune

Last update: March 26, 2009 - 11:55 PM

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants state workers to take up to 24 days of unpaid leave during each of the next two years.

In talks set against the backdrop of a $4.6 billion projected two-year budget deficit, state contract negotiators recently pitched the plan to AFSCME Council 5 and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), the two largest unions representing state workers.

In a message to their members, union officials called the furlough proposal a "bomb."

"Who can pay their bills after the loss of one month's pay," states a message on AFSCME's website. "Worse yet, he'd give managers the right to arbitrarily decide who gets furloughed, when they get furloughed, and for how long. That's an invitation for the boss to play favorites. It's also an attempt to balance the budget on the backs of AFSCME state employees who earn $37,000 on average."

Union officials contacted Thursday night said they couldn't comment on the proposal. "We have an agreement with the state not to bargain in the media," said Jennifer Munt, AFSCME spokeswoman. "And it's our hope that the governor adheres to that agreement."

FULL 2 page story at link.

[hobbit709]

1. Will Pawlenty set the example by going first?

I don't think so.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Snap!

[MineralMan]

3. Ah, yes...Governor Polenta is down with furloughing state

employees. More money for him to entertain political bigwigs for his 2012 run. Trouble is, he may not get re-elected in 2010. He'll be in good company, too. Palin may meed the same fate, as may Michelle Bachmann. Maybe the three of them can get together for some post-election hijinks.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Throw in Norm Coleman as an example of waste in govt.....

........even though he's a fed.