VSEA proposes job cuts options
Toolbox
By Peter Hirschfeld Vermont Press Bureau - Published: February 22, 2009
MONTPELIER – Faced with an administration proposal to slash about 600 jobs from state payrolls, the union that represents state workers said Friday it will offer an alternate proposal that would provide "substantial cost savings" while preventing further job cuts.
Gov. James Douglas has sought to cut $17 million from Fiscal Year 2010 General Fund expenditures by cutting 600 state jobs. On Friday, the Vermont State Employees Association said it will counter with its own cost-cutting plan to "prevent further job cuts and preserve public services."
The union declined to offer any specifics Friday, but the plan would likely involve the reopening of union contract negotiations. Cutting hours, reducing salaries or forgoing previously negotiated pay raises all would save money in the 2010 budget.
Administration spokesman Stephen Wark said Douglas' office had received information from VSEA and would be reviewing it.
"I haven't seen it myself, so I can't comment on it," Wark said.
Wark said the governor remains committed to finding $17 million in permanent cost savings.
"So that will be our goal as we move forward," Wark said. "There is an interest in finding a reasonable way to solve this problem, and I don't what that's going to be yet because I don't know what the union has proposed."
House Speaker Shap Smith called the union announcement a helpful development. Though he too has yet to hear any specifics, Smith said he is "pleased VSEA is willing to sit down with the administration and make a proposal to address the really serious problems we have in front of us."
The Legislature already has approved a reduction in force of 400 state workers. The majority of those cuts were achieved by not filling vacant positions. About 40 state workers have been laid off.
Smith said the state ought not exacerbate Vermont's rising jobless rate by sending its own workers to the unemployment lines.
"I would prefer to find a solution that would allow us to avoid job cuts but find savings in payroll," Smith said. "I think it's a really good sign that VSEA is willing to step up, recognize the difficulties we're all facing and make a proposal to help us solve the problem."
The union's bargaining unit chairs voted unanimously Friday to move forward with the cost-cutting proposal. A VSEA press release said details of the plan would be released as soon as Monday.
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