State, unions to meet to discuss furloughs

Lawmakers, union officials question need for unpaid days off

SANTA FE — Despite strenuous objections, Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration is forging ahead with a plan to order unpaid furlough days for most rank-and-file state employees over the next two-plus months.

State Personnel Director Justin Najaka earlier this week requested a meeting with union officials about the furlough plan, a required first step under the state’s collective bargaining agreement.

In response, the director of one of New Mexico’s large public employee unions asked Najaka on Tuesday to provide justification for furloughs, which haven’t been used as a cost-saving tool in the state since 2010.

“We do not think it is remotely reasonable to call for such a significant meeting with one day’s notice for response, and schedule such a significant meeting without providing any information,” said Connie Derr, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union in New Mexico.

A meeting with leaders of another labor union that represents state employees, the Communications Workers of America Local 7076, has been scheduled for Thursday, a spokesman for the State Personnel Office confirmed.

Martinez, the state’s two-term Republican governor, last week directed Cabinet secretaries in her administration to come up with employee furlough plans.

Although the plans have not been rolled out, administration officials have previously indicated they are considering ordering most rank-and-file state workers to take at least five unpaid furlough days between now and June 30, which would save an estimated $8 million.

Such a move could mean temporary closures of state parks, museums and Motor Vehicle Division field offices around the state.

“The governor doesn’t want to furlough employees, but she has to leave everything on the table to solve our cash crisis,” State Personnel Office spokesman Joseph Cueto said Tuesday.

However, top-ranking Democratic lawmakers and union leaders have questioned the need for furloughs, citing a recent state revenue tracking report that said the state was on track as of February to take in $55 million more than projected for the budget year that ends June 30.

Senate Finance Committee

Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said earlier this week that he felt “very comfortable” the state could get through the rest of the current budget year without furloughs.

The state’s collective bargaining agreement requires any state agencies considering furloughs or layoffs to notify and meet with union leaders before submitting a formal plan to the State Personnel Board for approval.

State personnel rules call for employees to be given at least 14 days notice before any unpaid furlough day, though the State Personnel Office director can waive the time limit.

The director can also approve agency furlough plans unilaterally — without the consent of the board — if an emergency is deemed to exist.