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State Workers Protest Furloughs

By Tony McVeigh

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-913168.mp3

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- – State workers in Kentucky are facing a total of six furlough days this fiscal year. The first day falls on September 3rd, the Friday before the Labor Day weekend.

Unions representing more than half of the state's 32,000 state workers are speaking out against the furloughs, which apply to both merit and non-merit employees.

"This plan makes no sense," says Dave Warrick, who represents the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. "It does not take into account exactly where they're going to save money. In fact in areas they are going to spend money."

Warrick was among about 40 union employees opposed to furloughs who showed up at a news conference in Frankfort.

The Beshear administration says the furloughs, approved by lawmakers in May, will save taxpayers $24-million.