State, unions to meet to discuss furloughs
SANTA FE – Despite strenuous objections, Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration is forging ahead with a plan to order unpaid furlough days for most rank-and-file state employees over the next two-plus months.
State Personnel Director Justin Najaka earlier this week requested a meeting with union officials about the furlough plan, a required first step under the state’s collective bargaining agreement.
In response, the director of one of New Mexico’s large public employee unions asked Najaka on Tuesday to provide justification for furloughs, which haven’t been used as a cost-saving tool in the state since 2010.
“We do not think it is remotely reasonable to call for such a significant meeting with one day’s notice for response, and schedule such a significant meeting without providing any information,” said Connie Derr, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union in New Mexico.
Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/993526/state-unions-to-meet-to-discuss-furloughs.html