(Palm Beach) County workers shift to 4-day week to conserve gas

[truthpusher]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-pgas02sep02,0,543066.story?coll=sfla-home-dots-utility&track=mostemailedlink

County workers shift to 4-day week to conserve gas
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By Stephen Deere, Michael Turnbell & Mark Hollis
Staff Writers
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September 2, 2005
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With gas prices escalating and potential fuel shortages looming, Palm Beach County government is moving as many as 3,600 employees to four-day work weeks in an effort to reduce fuel consumption.

County officials said that as many as 60 percent of the 6,000 employees under the County Commission and administrator might may be moved to four 10-hour days instead of five eight-hour days. Currently, 20 percent work a four-day week.

The move is expected to cut the amount of fuel employees use during commutes to work by about 8 percent, commission Chairman Tony Masilotti said. Not since the oil crisis of the 1970s has the county had to take such drastic measures to save energy, he said.

At a news conference Thursday, Masilotti and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel urged residents to conserve as much energy as possible.

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Gov. Bush urged conservation but also tried to reassure people to avoid a panic or steer away tourists.

(snip)

complete story: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-pgas02sep02,0,543066.story?coll=sfla-home-dots-utility&track=mostemailedlink