Unions oppose furlough days
An alliance of public employee unions said Monday that they oppose a plan by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to impose six employee furloughs, or unpaid days off.
The Coalition of L.A. City Unions, which represents about 22,000 workers, said it does not believe Villaraigosa has the legal authority to force workers to take six furlough days during the 2008-09 fiscal year.
Deputy Mayor Sean Clegg said Villaraigosa already has a legal opinion from City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo stating that he can impose “short-term layoffs” on city workers. The furloughs are designed to save $23 million in the upcoming budget.
The debate occurred on the same day that the union coalition unveiled a series of proposals for eliminating the city’s $406 million budget shortfall. Those proposals included better collection of unpaid bills, renting out city property, and creating a series of new licenses and fees.
-- David Zahniser
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