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Updated June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - State Workers Unite

In an effort to save $688 million of a $728 million state budget shortfall, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle has signed an executive order to implement a work furlough of 15,600 state workers starting July 6. The work furlough involves all state workers to be furloughed three days each month in an effort to save the state money on payroll, but imposes the burden on a small percentage of the entire state population. Seems unfair for the state worker who will see their income reduced several thousand dollars each year. For many this furlough could not come at a worse time as health care costs have increased substantially this year, increasing by $250 per month for a family medical insurance plan. The furlough plan then compounds an already bad situation for state workers in that their expenses will increase at the same time their pay will decrease. To demonstrate solidarity, several unions organized a sign waving along Kamehameha Avenue fronting Bayfront today, and hundreds of state employees turned out to show their displeasure with Governor Lingle's plan.

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