$1 billion in worker givebacks sought

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/01/17/PAY_CUT.ART_ART_01-17-09_A1_62CIK2O.html?sid=101

Union being asked to consider 5 percent pay cut, fewer hours and no more holiday pay
Saturday, January 17, 2009 3:09 AM

By Alan Johnson
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Strickland administration has sent shock waves through the state work force with a contract proposal seeking around $1 billion in concessions from employees, including a 5 percent pay cut, reduced hours and elimination of paid holidays and personal days.

Among the concessions being sought: cutting the standard paid workweek to 35 hours from 40 hours, saving $350.8 million, according to a negotiations memo obtained yesterday by The Dispatch.

The union's memo said union negotiators have been told that layoffs might be necessary even if concessions are made.

Eliminating paid holidays would save $108 million, while a "mandatory furlough" requirement and eliminating "step" increases between pay levels would produce savings estimated at $80 million and $30 million, respectively.

The figures appear to represent estimated savings that would be accumulated from concessions by most or all 60,514 state employees.

Ron Sylvester, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, the business arm of state government that handles contract negotiations, declined to comment or confirm the information, citing a news blackout agreement with the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association.

FULL story at link.

[David Dunham]

1. It's either agree to these cuts or lots of state workers get canned

[Hawkowl]

2. Deflation

And the deflationary cycle continues. Prices and sales fall forcing wages to fall which causes corporate earnings to fall which causes layoffs and wages to fall which causes prices and sales to fall.....

[aquart]

3. Please provide detailed list of executive givebacks. First.