NYS Employee Furlough Plan

Here is an e-mail I got today from our Union president. Not sure if it was passed around to all unions.

Here's the latest info on the Furlough Plan.

The Governor has announced his plan to move forward with attaching the
furlough plan to the upcoming Emergency Spending Bill, due next Monday.
We expect that the Legislature will go ahead and pass the Bill,
otherwise the business of NYS will halt. Indeed, the Senate Democrats
have indicated they will vote to pass this bill. The Assembly hasn't
expressed an opinion, but I expect they will go along. Otherwise, they
would be criticized for having caused NYS to grind to a halt.

I'm aware that there are a number rumors and speculation out there.
Some of this has been generated by overly anxious news reporters. And
some of it is genuine confusion over the clarity of the Bill's language.
For example, there's been some speculation that furloughs would apply
only to employees in the Classified Service--i.e. mainly CSEA- and
PEF-represented employees. However, it is clear from the Governor's
position that furloughs will affect ALL state employees--except
"Management/Confidential employees or employees who are 100 percent
federally funded."

If the Emergency Spending Bill, containing furlough language, is passed
next Monday (May 10), the furloughs will go into effect beginning May
17. And, depending on the language of the Bill, they may continue on an
on-going basis until a State Budget is in place. Paychecks will be
reduced by 20% per week, beginning in the Pay Period that the reduced
work occurred.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time it is IMPOSSIBLE for UUP to advise on what
specific jobs/titles will be affected. According to a memo from the
Division of Budget (see below), agencies are to work with their assigned
budget examiner to identify those jobs exempted which are related to
security, public safety, and direct health care. BUT...agencies are
expected to maximize savings by minimizing the number of exempt titles.

So that you can see the direct information with your own eyes, I've
provided a link the Budget Policy & Reporting Manual memo, as well as
the exact text. Please see this below.

What will be UUP's response? As you can appreciate, we've been trying
all avenues of political pressure to dissuade the Governor from this
wrongheaded approach. That has failed. And we understand the pressure
that the Legislature is under to deal with the on-going fiscal crisis.
Our entreaties to legislative leaders are met with understanding over
the concern for our members. But they are essentially "boxed in." by
the Governor's tactic.

What should you do regarding this furlough plan? First and foremost,
if you are directed by management that you are on furlough, we recommend
that you comply with this order. If you are not directed to stay home,
you should report to work.

When this Furlough Plan is enacted, UUP will respond with the full
arsenal of Contract Grievances, Improper Practice Charges, and Legal
Filings that are available to us in both state and federal venues. Rest
assured we will do whatever we can to hold the Governor responsible for
this egregious act.

In Union...

Phil Smith
UUP Statewide President

http://www.budget.state.ny.us/guide/bprm/bulletins/b-1189.html
Budget Policy & Reporting Manual
B-1189
Furlough (Reduction in Work Schedule)
effective date May 4, 2010 Printable PDF version
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO: ALL DEPARTMENT AND AGENCY HEADS

FROM: Robert L. Megna

Subject: Furlough (Reduction in Work Schedule)

In order to achieve savings during a period of historic fiscal
difficulties, the State anticipates enactment of a mandatory furlough
program which will continue until there is an enacted budget in place.
This bulletin provides guidance for the administration of this program.


These guidelines apply to employees in Executive branch agencies. The
work week for all employees (annual and non-annual salaried) who are not
in positions that have been exempted from the furlough will be subject
to a one-fifth reduction. In no case, however, will
Management/Confidential employees or employees who are 100 percent
federally funded be subject to this program.

Under this program, employees in positions subject to the furlough must
be scheduled for a work week reduction of one-fifth, with a commensurate
reduction in wages and salary, between May 17 and May 23, 2010 (subject
to enactment, this furlough program will continue in subsequent
emergency periods until a budget is enacted). That is, on one otherwise
scheduled work day between May 17 and May 23, 2010, employees will not
come to work and will not get paid. Note that a furlough day could
occur on Saturday, May 22 or Sunday, May 23 if such day is a regularly
scheduled work day for an employee and comparable savings will accrue.
Paychecks will be reduced commensurate with the reduction in work week
commencing in the paycheck covering the period in which the reduced work
week occurred. Appointing authorities are expected to use discretion to
determine appropriate scheduling to mitigate disruption to operations
and services.

Agencies should work with their budget examiner to identify titles that
may be exempt because they provide direct health care services or are
engaged in certain security functions. Agencies are encouraged to
extend the furlough program to positions in such titles if they can
maximize savings and maintain public health and safety. The objective
is to minimize the number of positions determined to be exempt and
maximize savings.

Agencies must also ensure that no employee utilizes any accrued leave
to offset this salary reduction (even if the employee’s furlough day
falls during an approved vacation) and agencies may not authorize
additional overtime to provide coverage for furlough days. No employee
may be scheduled for more than a 20 percent reduction in any payroll
period. Agencies must remain mindful that the intent of the furlough is
to improve the State's fiscal circumstances.

Additional payroll guidance will be provided at a later date. The
Division of the Budget will develop weekly reports to monitor the effect
of the program.

Questions concerning this bulletin should be directed to your budget
examiner.

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UUP- United University Professions? So I guess this would hit SUNY. I'm unclear about who exactly would be affected by this.

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My FH's Sheriff's Dept enacted a Furlough Plan last year. He has to take 8 days of Furlough a year.

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Makes me sick! How about cutting wasteful spending INSTEAD?!?!?!

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My DHs company (not NYS) participates in a similar program. He has to take 2 days off each month, but he gets unemployment for those two days. In the long run, he only loses a few dollars for that 4 day week. Are NYS employees exempt from unemployment? I know it's a voluntary program, but it would help NYS employees affected by this.

Link to program

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Plenty of wasteful spending in the state. Lets start with some of the government assistance programs. We can see if the people that really need the money are the ones that in fact are getting it. I am not sure if we could do that shared work program. But I know in the link it said we can't use accrued time to offset the lost wages. Good luck to everyone.

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you know we haven't heard a thing (SUNY FSC) people have said it will not affect SUNY campuses since we have had our reductions and depending on the health of your campus you should be fine, BUT this is what we are being told. I don't know what the truth is. I am rather annoyed that no one is talking about it.

I am highly disappointed if this comes true, no matter what union you are in. If the blind jackass decides to take one day out per week out of my paycheck we couldn't pay for all our bills. Yes i will work a secondary job but I didn't take this state job to be at risk like this. i had taken it to be secure - I don't make more then I would in the private sector, with my benefits added in i make the equivalent if not less. I stated on Newsday's website perhaps they can cut the individuals making a certain amount (100K and up) not the employees who are lucky to break 60K a year!!

NYS can cut all the tax credits you give out for companies that have the majority of their workforce outsource in another country but keep about 2% within the state to keep getting those tax breaks? Perhaps stop assisting/funding non-for-profits that help individuals that don't pay into the system?

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My cousin's DH works for the state and they have taken furlough days before. He was for that not sure about this new one), but he's Swedish and socialist...

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Posted by KittyGags

Makes me sick! How about cutting wasteful spending INSTEAD?!?!?!

Message edited 5/5/2010 7:48:13 PM.

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I guess the state is behind the times - lots of private employees have been dealing with pay cuts like this for over a year now even though our taxes and other bills keep going up.

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OMG what the hell is it with people thinking if you work for the state you automatically have this cushy job!

I have two degrees, I have worked privately making more money but work for the state - for what? 20K less then what I can make privately EASILY even in this market so when you factor my benefits in maybe JUST MAYBE i break even only when i have been here for 10 YEARS. I pay into my pension, I still have to pay for health benefits and its the same as a private company. Not all state workers a robbing the state.

Our contracts are changing as they come up to make this job less and less appealing. It will continue to do so as time moves on and guess what? When times are good and your contract says no pay raise for five years until the next contract is up - the state will not break it to give us a raise but privately when times are good you can get bonuses, pay raises, etc. I agree there are some agencies that get a really good deal but for the most of us we are just getting by paycheck by paycheck like the rest of the world.

As far as missing ONE DAY PER WEEK, i do not know any (but i am sure there is) job that forces you to take one day off a week. Our jobs/pay is only being used to ensure the governor get's what he wants which is to get a budget passed. Why not hold the people accountable who are preventing this action from happening?

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I know several people in the past year that had to take paycuts on top of seeing their healthcare benefits decrease & their cost increase.

As for not knowing employers who get workers to take one day off a week, there are plenty. My DH is IBEW Local #3. The past 2 years, the furlough was 10 weeks (eligible for unemployment only). A layoff, you wait 9 months to get rehired & hope to stay on the job.

One person had a $400+/month cut. I'm sure she would have loved to get one day off a week rather than have to work 5 days a week for less money. It's what the company had to do to stay afloat. I'm assuming this is the same thing the State is trying to do.

It's a very tough time for everyone.

Are NYS Employees considered employment at will or are they bound by their contracts to stay?

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We would not be able to work, the discussion today is that likely they will close down on Fridays. So what the state will do with all the paid tuition for summer session classes i have no clue, since no professors and and support staff will be around.

So i can apply for welfare/unemployment for my one day off per week?

I will pass on my raise HAPPILY and have expressed that. I know one union as done that so far, and hope the union that i belong to will as well. I can not control our union, the vast majority here have expressed they will give up raises.

Edit part: My suggestion is take off a percentage of salary then (skim) instead of furlough. This way work is still done, services not disrupted and the state can save money and the people making less don't take such a big hit. Higher salaried individuals would have a higher percentage taken, etc.

Message edited 5/6/2010 12:11:21 PM.

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I really think that the state needs to look at other ways to cut spending. There are so many people who collect unemployment, but work "off the books", there are people out on "disability" who are not disabled (I know 2 people like this). There are people out there who collect food stamps and welfare who do not need it (again, I know a few families who do this and who are 'proud' of it, they feel they 'deserve it').

Its insane.
They need to do a complete overhaul of these systems and weed out those who TRULY need it. I cannot imagine how much $$ is wasted.

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Sean - when did the Union send this message out? I didn't get any message in campus email or my personal.

Should be interesting the week it starts - its commencement week at the University!

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Posted by PotofLuck06

Sean - when did the Union send this message out? I didn't get any message in campus email or my personal.

Should be interesting the week it starts - its commencement week at the University!