Cost Containment Talks with Governor's Staff continue with Unions
AFT-Maryland, our state federation, AFT-Healthcare Maryland and MPEC met with the Governor’s staff to discuss the current budget deficit and the impact on state employees. Also present were officials from other bargaining units. The state still faces a $470 million shortfall in revenues for this fiscal year which began July 1, 2009. In order to eliminate this deficit, the Governor has called for state employees to share the burden of reducing the shortfall. He has also called for cuts to agency budgets and a reduction in aid to local government.
To his credit, the Governor has invited the unions representing state employees to give input. Based on feedback from our members, our Union’s goal in these meetings is three-fold:
Ø balancing the budget is shared fairly by everyone;
Ø every effort is made to avoid layoffs or job loss;
Ø a commitment is obtained to work jointly on restoring the fiscal health of Maryland with a focus on adequate funding and quality services to the public.
The Governor’s staff has proposed several scenarios to balance the budget, including furlough days, TEMPORARY salary reductions and layoffs, as well as some changes to healthcare procedures. The Governor plans to announce his plan for a balanced budget on August 26.
Our union’s Response
To achieve our goals our union is working on a plan for the future. While we are working to minimize the impact of the current budget shortfall, we need to be proactive about tomorrow. Working with AFT, we are calling for a joint committee to develop a plan for adequate funding to assure quality services in the years to come.
We are also working with other union officials to make the case that layoffs should be avoided wherever possible.
In addition, we are calling for the restoration of these furlough days when the economy is stronger. These “savings” need to be seen as a state employee loan during hard times. When times are better the state should pay the loan back. To that end, the union has proposed a plan to restore furlough days once the state’s economy improves.
Another plan that has reduced deficits in other states is a voluntary furlough program as a way to reduce the impact of the cuts to fellow employees. Every effort should be made to ask employees based on personal circumstances, to volunteer to take furlough days. This would potentially reduce the burden on other state employees.
We understand that these are tough times. We must work together to make the case for quality public service and for fairness.
What action can I take?
If you don’t feel your voice is being heard, then ask a co-worker to join our union. If you are concerned about job security, ask a fellow employee to join MPEC or AFT Healthcare Maryland. If you are worried about the impact on your retirement benefits, ask a colleague to join our fight. Through unity we will have the strength to gain fair pay and benefits for all Unit G and E employees.
