NAGE Responds on NewsCenter Channel 5 to Governor's Furlough, Layoffs Warning
October 19, 2009
National President David J. Holway appeared this evening on NewsCenter Channel 5 to respond to Governor Deval Patrick's warning that 2,000 state jobs could be cut if unions didn't agree to contract concessions that he said were needed to help close a $600 million budget shortfall.
"The fact is, we've been working with the administration and legislature for the last two years to find ways to save money," Holway said. "We pushed to extend the pension funding schedule, which saved $50 million last year. Our members have taken voluntary furloughs, leaves of absence, and early retirement, and they've participated in job-sharing programs.
"Last year our members got a 0% wage increase, and so far this year, they've also gotten zero. Their health care insurance costs went up 33% and the Group Insurance Commission is proposing to shift another $50 million onto their backs in higher co-pays and deductibles. And despite all they've given already, our members continue to come up with ways that the state can save even more money," he said.
Theresa McGoldrick, Local 207 president, reacted to the Channel 5 news report.
"I'm glad President Holway was able to respond to the governor in a public forum," she said. "The administration can't continue to blame state employees for the state's budget woes. We say over and over again, we're part of the solution, not the problem. We've already shouldered a disproportianate share of the burden to solve the problems."
Holway argued that state employees have already sacrificed and suffered plenty, but would be willing to discuss options for savings if they could trust the administration to hold up its end of the bargain.
"The administration hasn't said if in fact we take the furlough there will be no layoffs. If they say, 'we want to give you furloughs and layoffs and increase your co-pays and health insurance, zero percent increase again this year'—I think if I was a state employee, I would say enough is enough," Holway said.