Public employee union willing to cut raises
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon's largest public employee union said Thursday it is willing to accept a freeze on cost-of-living increases and unpaid furlough days for state workers because of the budget crisis.
The announcement by Local 503 of the Service Employees International Union comes as state lawmakers are struggling to close a widening budget gap that could force cuts in programs and layoffs of state workers.
It said Thursday it is willing to have union members take eight unpaid furlough days, including two days between now and the end of June, when the current budget expires.
Further, the union says, it is offering to forgo cost-of-living pay increases for the next two-year budget.
Possible concessions would affect employees across state government. The union represents 23,000 state workers and higher education employees. They work for every state agency. Employees also work for all seven state universities.
SEIU has 2,400 employees in Lane County alone, including classified employees at the University of Oregon.
The union's executive director, Leslie Frane, said the union wanted to show its willingness to share in the economic hardship being felt by people throughout the state.
The union also is concerned about the threat of layoffs, she said at a news conference.
"We certainly hope that, in offering to take eight unpaid furlough days, that that would obviate the need for layoffs, or at least minimize the number of layoffs," she said.
250 delegates from the union met last Sunday in Eugene to hash out their concessions.
“From what we’re hearing by in large people understand what’s going on,” union communications director Ed Hershey told KVAL News. “They understand this is the year to pull together.”
The union's proposed concessions mirror what Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski included in the 2009-11 budget proposal he issued on Dec. 1. Since then, the state's revenue picture has grown substantially worse.
Kulongoski spokeswoman Anna Richter Taylor said the governor isn't going to accept the union's offer until he sees the next revenue forecast, due out Feb. 20.
The union has a previously scheduled meeting with the state on Feb. 23, but Hershey says they’re willing to talk anytime.
"The governor does appreciate that they recognize the current budget challenges," Richter Taylor said of the union's leaders. "But we have to wait for the revenue forecast next week before we can provide a prudent and responsible response."
Legislative Republicans applauded the union's decision to accept furlough days and to forgo cost-of-living increases. They said Kulongoski should go further by canceling pay raises granted to state employees over the past year.
"There is no excuse for living high on the hog while Oregon classrooms and seniors are fighting for their lives," said Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli of John Day.
Frane, meanwhile, said having union members take two unpaid furlough days between now and the end of June would save the state nearly $9 million.
However, the current two-year budget must be cut by as much as $800 million over the next few months to keep it balanced as required by law.
"This is not the total solution to the state's budget crisis," Frane said. "Our goal is to be a significant part of the solution."
Hershey says the union is encouraging their workers to spend those two furlough days to do community service.
