03/15/2010: "Union Will Allow Voluntary Unpaid Furloughs For 2010"

San Juan County is projecting a $300,000.00 shortfall for 2010, but county employees and staff are helping out by taking some unpaid "furloughs."

While taking some un-paid time off may seem simple enough, it is not, since some departments are not running a shortfall in their work load, so staffing needs may dictate who can take time off. and when.

And then there are the union workers, and union contracts with the County. The unions have agreed to allow an unpaid furlough program: “In the interest of preserving jobs and maintaining public services for our community.”

The Local 1849 AFSCME (American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees) Union represents approximately 60% of the County’s employees, however all County employees are included in the voluntary furlough program. During a similar program in the last four months of 2009, nearly 20% of the County’s employees took voluntary days off, saving more than $30,000 in wages.

At the end of last year the Sheriff's Guild entered into an agreement with the County to freeze their COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), which saved the County an additional $60,000.00 for 2010.

The San Juan County Human Resources Department emailed notification to County employees Thursday, announcing that all workers may take up to 10 days of voluntary, unpaid furlough during 2010.The Human Resources email also told employees, “It is possible that there could be office closures or mandatory furlough days in 2010.”

If mandatory days off are required, the effect of voluntary furlough days already taken will be the subject of further negotiation.

Voters approved a 12 cent levy lid-lift in 2009 which earmarked additional funding for several programs -including Parks and Senior Services- and also allocated $140,000 of the new revenue to reducing the need for mandatory closures of County offices; however overall county revenue has continued to fall short of projections. The County Council formally authorized the voluntary furlough program at its meeting Tuesday.

Under state law, furlough days do not affect the calculation of an employee’s retirement benefits.