Union to seek voluntary cut in work week to prevent layoffs

Like most legislatures across the country, when the Connecticut General Assembly convenes in January, it will contend with a budget shortfall that is expected to reach $1 billion by June 30, 2003. Talk of layoffs--as many as 3,000--have already begun, and Mike Winkler, president of the Administrative & Residual Employees Union (A&R), says the union is working on a preemptive plan to save the state money and reduce the need for staffing cuts.

At press time, A&R was working on a proposal that would require state agencies to participate in the voluntary hours reduction program, a provision that already exists in state statute. Winkler says provisions for voluntary hours reduction have been on the books for about 10 years, but most agencies do not allow their employees to participate.

Under the statute, employees can work as little as half-time and still receive full-time benefits, including seniority, says A&R's treasurer Marilyn Kaika, who also is a union steward.

A&R estimates that the state would save $1 million to $3 million annually on salaries--depending on the number of A&R members who would opt for a shorter work week. The union also maintains that layoffs would actually cost Connecticut money because of cash payments for sick and vacation time, COBRA health insurance coverage and unemployment compensation. "Laying us off is not a money-saving move," Winkler says. "Laying us off just reduces the size of the public sector."

"Our polling data show that almost 40 percent of our members are willing to reduce their hours and take the reduction in pay," says Winkler. A&R bargaining unit members work a 40-hour week.

"We see [voluntary hours reduction] as a benefit because it is purely voluntary," Winkler says, noting that the union's plan would provide flexibility to A&R members who want it.

Kaika says most members she has spoken with about the program would like to shorten their work week by one or two days. She cites day care and elder care responsibilities as key reasons employees would like to participate in the program.