FINANCE COMMITTEE SEND HOUR-REDUCTION RESOLUTION TO BOARD
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 -- 2:57 PM
A resolution that would cut the traditional full-time workweek for Clark County employees will be going to the full County Board in November.The Finance Committee voted Tuesday to recommend the Board pass the resolution that would approve a 2% pay increase, but cut full-time employees from 40 hours to 38 ? hours per week. The move could save over $500,000, which would be used to replenish fund balances.
But the committee also heard the employees unions aren't too happy about the move.
Personnel Coordinator Wendy Bautch has met with three of the unions, and they have plenty of concerns. Bautch said worker morale is low and county employees feel they're "not valued."
But Greenwood-area supervisor Rodger Ashbeck says the groups will have to determine if they're willing to have other employees laid off to save their 15-minutes a week.
"If this thing does not go through and people start missing budgets, you're going to see layoffs and removals," Ashbeck predicted. "You're talking to the wrong man when you start saying 'you can't do this and you can't do that,' other counties are doing it, guys."
Taylor County, for instance, has a 35-hour work week for non-professional employees; although, unlike Clark County's plan, Taylor County's Highway and Sheriff's department employees, as well as department heads, still work 40 hours a week.
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