County Workers Talk About Latest Furloughs
MILWAUKEE- Some Milwaukee County employees are facing as many as 26 furlough days. That’s 10 percent of the work year.
County workers like Craig Robinson say that’s going too far. Robinson is a father and a juvenile corrections officer. He says the 8 furlough days he is facing at his job are hitting his finances hard.
“Furlough day is missed work. It’s 8 hours of pay. Most people don’t have the opportunity to make that money up,” Robinson said.
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, who is running for governor, says the furloughs are tough, but necessary, because the largest county workers’ union won’t make concessions.
“I certainly empathize with them. The best way is for people to do what three of our unions already did, and step up and help us out,” Walker said.
Opponents claim all these furloughs will mean worse service, such as improper maintenance of county parks and worse service on the highways, especially when plows are needed in the winter.
Walker says that’s not true.
“No, we’ve managed thus far. We’ve already had some earlier this year,” Walker said.
But workers such as Craig Robinson claim every new furlough day hurts workers and county residents.
“I think it may never end. A big concern for me and my co-workers is, what’s going to happen next year?” Robinson said.
Walker said the latest four furlough days only affect members of the largest workers’ union, which has not reached an agreement with the county. Priority services, such as the Sheriff’s Department, are exempt.
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