City Workers to Take Unpaid Leave in 2010

City of Seattle workers have voted to take ten days off--without pay--in 2010, in response to the City's budget shortfall, which has climbed to $72.5 million (up from $43 million in April).

You can view this as more evidence of the City’s financial woes, or as a positive move in Seattle’s history of organized labor: the Coalition of City Unions voted for the leave rather than cut staff. This will affect over 6,000 workers, including union and nonunion City employees. Police and fire staff will not be affected by the leave. The ten day leave will be spread out over the year--utility services will not be affected.

The City expects the furlough to save around $7.5 million. Nickels’ office has already requested budget reductions from other City departments.

Snohomish County also came to an agreement with its union to take several days of furlough rather than make more budget cuts. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have agreed--albeit tentatively--to 11 furlough days and shorter weeks. The County will also continue and expand it hiring freeze.

Both the hiring freeze and the furlough will be examined tomorrow by the County Council.