HI gov. orders top staff to take 2 furlough days
HONOLULU — Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle on Thursday ordered the state’s top government leaders to take two unpaid days off each month in an effort to set an example for unionized public workers.
Lingle has been blocked by the courts from forcing furloughs on most state employees, but she is able to cut the hours and pay of 42 executive branch officials, including herself and her 17 Cabinet members.
“There is a strong sense among these leaders that this is a time for shared sacrifice,” Lingle said. “Whatever savings we were asking the employees of the state to take, we would take a similar sacrifice.”
Because she can’t unilaterally furlough up to 47,600 unionized state employees, Lingle has been considering whether to start layoffs to help the state’s ailing finances. She said she would provide more information on potential layoffs next week.
The furloughs of non-unionized senior staff will save the state $1.2 million over the next two years, a small step toward making up for the state’s $786 million projected budget deficit.
When combined with a previous 5 percent pay cut, the furloughs amount to a 13 percent reduction in salary this year and 13.7 percent next year. The three monthly furlough days she sought from other state employees would equal a 14 percent cut.
Most of Lingle’s Cabinet members attended the furlough announcement in the governor’s executive chambers in a show of support.
“It will be a hit, but I think we need to lead by example,” said Kurt Kawafuchi, director of the Tax Department. “I don’t think it will affect my work hours and the service I’m going to try to provide to the public. I work when I need to work.”
Lingle said it would be up to these upper-level managers to decide if they’ll take the furlough days off or work anyway and not get paid.
Four labor unions and Lingle plan to meet again for further negotiations next week.
The unions have offered a 5 percent pay cut, but Lingle continues to seek furloughs through the collective bargaining process.
On the Net:
Gov. Linda Lingle: hawaii.gov/gov/
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