Jul 22, 2009 11:57 am US/Eastern
Gov. Lynch: Prepare For Hundreds Of State Layoffs
NORMA LOVE, Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) ―
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The New Hampshire State House in Concord
State of N.H.
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch told his department heads Wednesday to make plans for the state to lay off 750 workers beginning in September.
Lynch said the State Employees Association, which represents most of the state's 11,500 workers, has not agreed to a furlough plan to avoid layoffs. The new state budget directs Lynch to cut labor costs by $25 million over the next two years.
"If we end up laying off state employees — which is not my preference — layoffs would begin after Labor Day and end by mid to late October," said Lynch. "My goal in all of this has been not only to achieve budget savings, but to save jobs. My strong preference is a well-structured furlough program as opposed to layoffs."
Layoff notices would be sent out in early August.
Lynch said if the furlough plan is adopted, he agreed to limit layoffs to those already planned for in the state budget. The budget calls for laying off about 200 workers by closing a state prison in Laconia, closing a school for students with behavorial issues in Concord and restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Lynch said his promise under a furlough plan means that if state revenues continue dropping he won't lay off workers to save money. Lynch said the promise does not cover programs that lose federal funding or restructuring in state agencies.
Lynch said he also agreed to shut some state offices on selected days for some of the furlough days.
"The union leadership does not appear to want to adopt this approach," Lynch told reporters after his meeting with 20 agency heads.
The union has proposed giving workers close to retirement incentives to retire to save some of the money, but Lynch said the plan would instead cost the state $53 million over the two-year budget.
Lynch said layoffs would apply to all state workers, not just those covered by the union. Nonunion agencies, such as the Department of Justice, could implement a furlough program instead.
Negotiators for both sides meet Thursday, but Lynch said the state can't wait to make plans for layoffs.
The union had no immediate comment.
The union has scheduled a meeting Thursday night with its leaders to discuss the status of negotiations.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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