Schwarzenegger takes aim at paid holidays

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11352537

Schwarzenegger takes aim at paid holidays

By Mike Zapler

Mercury News
Posted: 01/04/2009 12:00:00 AM PST

SACRAMENTO — Like much of the nation's workforce, California state employees got to spend New Year's Day at home with their families and still get paid.

Unlike many in the private sector, state workers are slated to get an additional 13 paid holidays off the rest of this year — including Lincoln and Washington's birthdays in February (four days apart), Cesar Chavez Day in March, Columbus Day in October and Veteran's Day in November. The policy is among the most generous in the nation: only two other states offer government employees more paid holidays.

Now, with California facing one of the largest deficits in its history, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking aim at that coveted perk of state service. As part of his plan to tame a projected $41.6 billion shortfall through mid-2010, Schwarzenegger has suggested eliminating two of the 14 paid holidays: Lincoln's Birthday and Columbus Day.

The proposal is one of several by Schwarzenegger aimed at slicing payroll costs, but it is hardly the most Draconian. More controversial is his plan to furlough most workers two days a month, the equivalent of a 10 percent pay cut, through mid-2010. Layoffs will also almost certainly be needed, Schwarzenegger has warned.

"I hate to lay off any state employees," Schwarzenegger said at an event a few days before Christmas. "Because these are hardworking people and they all have to provide for their families. But we are running out of cash... so I have no other choice. California is on track to a disaster."

Against that backdrop, the plan to take away two holidays might be a relatively easy pill to swallow. But the proposal and others targeting workers is colored by the tense relationship Schwarzenegger has had with public sector unions since he became governor.

FULL story at link.

[mike_c]

1. I'm a CA state employee and I would not necessarily object...

...to such concessions as long as they're NEGOTIATED and the state either gives us something in return, limits the duration of the concessions-- and remembers that we made them, or balances our concessions with sacrifices of its own.

[NOW tense]

2. I don't think that is horrible.

If it were all paid holidays I would be pissed.

[CrispyQ]

3. I love paid holidays!

I have never worked anywhere where we got Lincoln's bd & Columbus Day off! Those are bankers & govt holidays, not corporate. Most companies I've worked for had 6 paid holidays:

New Years
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas

The good companies would throw in the day after T-day & Christmas Eve & the really good ones would throw in a couple of personal holidays as well.

Still, I am reluctant to see anyone forced to give up paid holidays - mostly because I know that once they give it up, they will most likely never get it back! And when it comes time to trim the budget again, the Gov will 'forget' the sacrifice the employees made last time & he will ax two more holidays.