Furlough Day Update - May 20, 2009
May 20, 2009
SEIU Local 517M has requested copies of all Departmental plans for implementation of the Governor’s Executive Order 2009-22.
We will highlight these on our website as they become available.
The following correspondence was sent to the Office of the State Employer (OSE) on May 18th:
Please accept this email communication as our formal request to have all SEIU Local 517M represented bargaining unit employees working in the Michigan Department of Transportation who are 100% funded from sources other than the General Fund, be “exempted” from Executive Order 2009-22 as provided for in the collective bargaining agreements.
". . . we are requesting a complete review of all SEIU represented positions as to the funding source, before any temporary layoff days be imposed on positions which would not generate savings to the state’s General Fund."
In addition, we are requesting a complete review of all SEIU represented positions as to the funding source, before any temporary layoff days be imposed on positions which would not generate savings to the state’s General Fund.
All SEIU members are keenly aware of the challenging and unprecedented economic climate that hangs over our nation as well as our state. We are all sensitive to the concept of “shared sacrifice”. As the Governor knows, state employees have contributed $436 million dollars to this effort over the last few years by way of concessions through the bargaining process. SEIU members continue to stand ready to promote ideas and participate in substantive discussions with clear suggestions for additional cost-savings measures to do our part as dedicated state employees as well as tax paying citizens here in Michigan.
However, at this time, it seems counterproductive to impose temporary layoff days on any SEIU represented state employee whose position is funded through sources other than the General Fund. I hope you would agree that there would be no savings generated to the General Fund through temporary layoffs of any non-GFGP positions, and there might well be a net loss of revenue if there is any possibility that these unexpended funds would have to be returned to the Federal Government or some other funding source.
Again, we look forward to your response to this request and will continue to participate in a meaningful and positive manner as we all work through these economic challenges.
Respectfully,
Phillip Thompson
Executive Vice President
SEIU Local 517M