State Gov't Plans 4 Furlough Days, Lost Positions
LANSING (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder's administration says it will require unionized state workers to take at least four unpaid furlough days and introduce legislation requiring them to contribute to their defined benefit retirement plans to save the state money.
It also will eliminate 367 vacant positions, close a prison and refinance debts issued by the State Building Authority.
The governor wants state workers to agree to $145 million in concessions in the budget year that starts Saturday.
A coalition of state employee unions says the state can save as much as $170 million without asking state workers to sacrifice more by requiring state vendors to pay more and by cutting the number of managers.
Both sides are still negotiating on contracts that take effect next year.
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