Workers must take 16 days over 2 years

By Patti Zarling
pzarling@greenbaypressgazette.com

Despite some inconvenience to the public, state officials say mandated employee furlough days have gone according to plan.

All state workers must take 16 days of unpaid leave within two years as part of the 2009-11 biennium state budget. Local agencies are carrying out the state mandate designed to cut costs in the sagging economy.

That means the Department of Motor Vehicles, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and the Green Bay Correctional Institution, among other state agencies, must find ways to schedule time off for hundreds of workers. Most administrators said things are going smoothly, although it may come at a cost to people who use their services.

Patrick Fernan, operations manager for the DMV office, acknowledged some residents likely made a trip to the Ashwaubenon site to find locked doors.

He said the DMV tried to raise public awareness about the furloughs through the media and its Web site.

"Some people don't get the word," Fernan said. "I'm sure some people showed up and were disappointed to see things were closed."

The DMV has had three furlough days since the program was implemented this summer.

Ann Rose of Washington Island worked her trip to the DMV, 942 Vanderperren Way, on Friday around the furlough days.

"I knew about them and planned my trip for when they weren't closed," Rose said. "I think it's fine if it's helping the budget."

UWGB won't close the campus for furlough until the day after Thanksgiving, spokesman Chris Sampson said. But employees are taking individual furlough days now.

"Clearly, faculty members aren't going to take furlough days when they should be teaching class," Sampson said. "Where they run into conflicts is research or public service."