Furloughs Urged for County Workers
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Most Ventura County employees should be forced to take off up to four days a year without pay in an effort to save nearly $2 million annually, a county official proposed Thursday.
Ronald Komers, county personnel director, said he will ask the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to consider mandatory furloughs. He is asking that the workers be required to take off Columbus Day, Lincoln’s birthday, the day after Thanksgiving and Veterans Day without pay.
“Given the bleak financial future, it is prudent for us to scale back,” Komers said. “This is the only efficient way.”
Nevertheless, the proposal has come under attack by union leaders.
“This is another one of Mr. Komers’ half-baked ideas,” said Barry Hammitt, executive director of the Public Employees Assn. of Ventura County. “All they are succeeding in doing is destroying the morale of the work force.”
But Supervisor Vicky Howard said the county needs to explore as many cost-saving options as possible.
“This is something that should be on the table,” she said.
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