Due to the financial emergency facing King County, the County has given the King County Coalition of Unions a proposal to implement an unpaid furlough of ten days during calendar year 2009. In the absence of a mutual agreement on the issue, King County would reserve its right to implement a furlough and/or alternative measures to address the budget shortfall. Therefore, the King County Coalition of Unions is meeting with the County in an effort to mitigate the impacts of the potential furlough. 

To minimize the impact on employees, and demonstrate to the public the financial challenges facing King County, the current proposal contemplates that the ten unpaid furlough days would be scheduled adjacent to holidays and/or weekends, spread out during calendar year 2009, with no more than one day in any month. Pursuant to the proposal under discussion, the County would shut down all non-essential operations on these ten furlough days. Therefore, the furlough would affect all employees in non-essential functions irrespective of their representation status, including supervisory and managerial personnel. These furlough days are offered in lieu of additional layoffs. 

Bargaining units that accept the negotiated proposal would be assured the standard COLA through 2010. In addition, vacation and sick leave accruals, seniority, and medical coverage and other insurance would not be affected by the furlough. Retirement service credits would not be affected, although 2009 contributions to the Department of Retirement Services would be reduced (based on reduced compensation) as required by law.

Any proposal from the County regarding the impacts of the furlough would be subject to membership ratification. 

The parties will be meeting again at the end of the week.