Worker Furloughs in Maryland's Prince George's County Ruled Unconstitutional

http://www.laborradio.org/node/11778

Worker furloughs in Prince George’s County, Maryland have been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. The county implemented 10 furlough days last year to help bridge a budget gap due to the economic downturn. In July the county board approved additional 10-days of furloughs. Judge Alexander Williams Jr. wrote in a 43-page opinion that “the County’s actions resemble trappings of doing that which was politically expedient.” Williams added that the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from passing laws that impair “the obligation of contracts.” Furloughs impact the wages agreed to in worker contracts. A Hawaiian Circuit Court ruled in July that the Governor of that state could not arbitrarily order furlough days without first negotiating them with unions representing workers. In that case Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto said such an order violated the Hawaiian Constitution because it impacted wages agreed to in a contract.

This is no different that Hawaii. Unions blocked furloughs so the junior workers got pink slips.

There has to be a reduction in payroll costs for the next year at a minimum. Public employees either take a furlough (temp pay cut) and save all the jobs or keep the senior workers while the junior ones are laid off. Helluva of a choice but one that has to be made.

My government employer is doing furloughs. Though I would not be one of the ones cut, I think its better than layoffs.