New York Legislature Approves 1-Day Furloughs

[cory777]

Source: NY Times

ALBANY — The Legislature approved an emergency budget bill on Monday that would authorize Gov. David A. Paterson to furlough about 100,000 state employees, roughly half the state’s work force, without pay for one day.

Public employee unions contended that the furloughs, which officials said would be the first for state workers in New York, would be illegal, and they said they would seek a temporary restraining order in Federal District Court here to block Mr. Paterson’s plan.

While some lawmakers, including many who voted for the bill, also questioned the legality of the furloughs, they said they had little choice but to approve the legislation because failing to do so would have effectively shut down the state government. The furlough plan, which would require each affected worker to take one day off next week, was included in the emergency spending bill needed to keep money flowing to state agencies.

“We’re not stopping government,” said Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker. “I think that ultimately the courts will overturn it.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/nyregion/11furlough.html

[customerserviceguy]

1. A year and a half ago

I was working 40 hours a week, now I'm working 30 (at a different place), that's like a day and a half PER WEEK of furlough. It's difficult for me to gin up much sympathy here.