Wayne County, Michigan workers will be forced to take unpaid vacations

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/13525

Submitted by Jesse Russell on May 16, 2010 - 8:29pm
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The region of Michigan encompassing Detroit can’t seem to get a break. This week it was announced that 700 workers in Wayne County will be forced to take weeklong unpaid layoffs this year around Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. The county has been trying to get workers to accept a 10 percent pay cut. The forced layoffs are projected to save the county $1.5 million while it copes with a deficit of $100 million. Workers will also lose health benefits for the month of June even though they will still be working three weeks of the month. The issue is expected to go to court.

[Mugweed]

1. So government work is becoming more like private industry?

I took a 10% pay cut in February last year. Then in May we were told that we were being given 3-day weekends every other week. Some people were happy, not understanding that they were getting yet another 10% cut in pay by losing 8 hours every 2 weeks. Between those two events, five of my coworkers in my department were laid off and the work was distributed among the remaining 2 (me and my coworker). I now work 50+ hour weeks and get paid for 36 hours each week. I'm supposed to be happy I have a job at all...

[Mugweed]

2. I forgot to add that the office is now closed from X-mas to New Years

and if you have no vacation time saved up, you're taking an unpaid vacation for that period.

[Omaha Steve]

4. You want first responders sitting at home?

Tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, blizzards, terrorist attacks, etc. Government employees are the very FIRST ones to start the recovery! Do you really want them out of work when shit hits the fan?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. We have had furloughs throughout the public sector for some time, including my position

The loss of health benefits though is new as best I can tell