Heineman: Layoffs, furloughs ahead

Also see this post: Neb. union rejects pay freeze

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100611/NEWS01/706129868#heineman-layoffs-furloughs-ahead

Published Friday June 11, 2010

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman says a union’s rejection of his request to freeze pay of its 11,000 members could lead to layoffs in the hundreds, and furloughs.

The union’s rejection on Friday was the second this year. Heineman said Friday that it would have saved roughly $15 million to $20 million.

Union negotiator Bob Corner said the offer lacked credibility. Heineman said the rejection showed a lack of leadership and failure to appreciate the state’s budget problems.

Corner says Heineman’s administration offered to cap job cuts at 800 if the union accepted the plan.

Thousands of nonunion state employees will have their pay frozen next fiscal year, as will constitutional officers including Heineman and hundreds of directors and managers.