Visalia City Group M

VISALIA CITY GROUP "M" BARGAINING UNIT

June 17, 2009

Furlough Update:
As you are aware, the City of Visalia has been given direction by the City Council to implement furloughs in all departments. Furloughs are considered temporary lay-offs. Per the MOU the City shall give at least a thirty (30) working days advanced notice in writing to all employees affected. Furlough plans have been drafted by the department heads within all departments and will continue for one (1) year after the beginning date and then will be re-evaluated. Through our meet and confer sessions with the City, it was originally proposed that furloughs would begin on July 1, 2009. The City has not notified employees per the MOU of the temporary lay-off (furlough) so a start date has not been given as of this date. After speaking with the City administrators, they have informed me that they are doing everything possible regarding cost savings in other areas within the City before implimenting the furlough system.
Furloughs will be tracked through a leave bank, just as your vacation is. Furloughs shall be scheduled per the language within the MOU regarding work schedules. Furloughs shall be taken in 8/10 hour increments. Furlough time will be deducted from your paycheck as they are taken. You will be paid for a holiday even if you take a furlough day before or after the holiday. Furloughs can not be used as sick time even if you are sick on your furlough day. If you are scheduled for a furlough and told you are needed at work, you must be given three (3) days advanced notice of the schedule change. Within the three (3) day notice period your furlough will be re-scheduled. If, due to emergency needs, that a three (3) day notice is unable to be given your furlough day will be forgiven and be credited as if you took the furlough. Vacation and sick leave accruals will not be affected when taking furlough days.

We understand that this is a very emotional and stressful issue. Be assured that the Union and the negotiating team representatives, Lilly Garza, Carrie Boyd & Paul Chao have meet with the City to assure that the furlough process through these trying economic times were handled in a professional manner.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Curtis Morgan.