As you should all be aware, the furlough days negotiated in our M.O.U. begin July 1st. By now you should have received a copy of the Human Resources (formerly Personnel) Department Letter on furlough days and FAQ’s. Human Resources also issued a chart of recommendations concerning when furlough days should be taken. Employees are free to take more than one day every two months. In fact, the City saves more money the sooner in the year that employees take their furlough days.
Unit 3 had to negotiate six furlough days per MOU year to reach the concessions demanded by the City of Phoenix. Since we don’t have the deferred compensation other units had since our members have always wanted the money in wages we had to come up with another way to reach 3.2% in concessions. It was either furlough days or further cuts to wages or cutting longevity or merit wages. With furlough days there is some benefit to the employee since they do get the day off.
As with any time off, employees must request and be approved for the time by supervision prior to taking the time off. If you take furlough pay even though the time is unpaid.
Remember, there are three paychecks in July and December this year, so those would be good months to schedule furlough days. We know some employees have scheduled vacation days for a furlough day to reach their quota. Employees are expected to keep track of their furlough obligation. Also keep in mind if you work 4-10 schedule you can take a full 10 hour furlough.
We were able to negotiate with human resources to allow employees to to take four hours off as furlough time rather than a full day in Unit 3. In some departments (with the Director’s approval) less than four hours may be taken. This would allow employees to take less than a day off for a doctor’s appointment or other activity.
Through ECHRIS you can also increase your withholding tax to lessen the effect of the furlough day on your net pay. Just remember to go back in and change it to a normal withholding after that pay period so you don’t end up owing taxes at the end of the year.
If you have any questions, you can call our office or Human Resources/Labor Relations at 602-262-6607. We are dealing with problems as they arise on a case by case basis.
In solidarity,
Nancy Gray
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I am writing to express how embarrassed I was to hear about the letter faxed to Councilman Sal DiCiccio by your husband Dennis on AFSCME letterhead. It was so VERY inappropriate and sheds a very bad light on unions as a whole. It reminded me of the union thugs of the past and I am shocked that an immediate apology, from you, was not done. While I disagree with the recipients views, the actions taken by Dennis were no better. It certainly does not help our cause and I certainly hope no one else on your staff was party to it or thought it was funny. It appears to many of us (I work at the Phx FD Alarm Room) that union leadership is out of touch with what their members feel. Your husband certainly does not speak for me. Also, this particular occurrence was discussed by many of us and the feelings I have expressed were the same. All your husband managed to do was show what little integrity he has and embarrass us all.