State Employees Union Leader Calls Budget Impasse 'Disgraceful'

    HARRISBURG, Pa., July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This morning
 Pennsylvania employees will be getting furlough notices going into effect
 12:01 AM on Monday, July 9th.
     "The Legislators have it backwards," said David R. Fillman, Executive
 Director for Council 13 of AFSCME, the American Federation of State,
 County, and Municipal Employees, "the Legislators should be furloughed for
 not doing their job, and the hard-working Commonwealth employees should
 stay on."
     AFSCME Council 13 represents more than 45,000 state employees. Over
 16,000 of these employees are considered 'non-critical' and subject to be
 furloughed Monday if the budget isn't passed.
     "There's a rumor out there, claiming that furloughed employees would
 not be eligible for their July bonus recently negotiated in the new
 contract. This is absolutely untrue," said Fillman. In addition, furloughed
 employees will continue to accrue seniority and health care benefits will
 remain in effect.
     "Partisan finger-pointing will not pass this budget for Pennsylvania
 workers and their families," said Fillman. "Legislators need to pass this
 budget and pass it today." AFSCME members negotiated and ratified a new
 labor agreement 6 months before the expiration date, yet the Legislatures
 can't pass a budget before June 30th, Fillman noted.
     Bargaining unit members are encouraged to visit the website at
 http://www.AFSCME13.org for updates and frequently asked questions and
 answers.
 
 

SOURCE AFSCME Council 13