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From under a tent erected to protect them from the rain, three state workers addressed the media as nearly 30 Service Employees Union International (SEUI) members stood behind to show solidarity, and answer questions.

A few dozen state workers gathered on the steps in front of the Department of Social Services in downtown Sacramento on the first-ever "Furlough Friday."

State worker Rod Gonzalez, a Geographical Information Systems Analyst for the Department of Fish and Game said, "the Governor wants to save $1.3 billion, but [furlough days] will have a negative impact on the economy, costing nearly $3 billion to the state. It's like taking one step forward and two steps back."

One of the keynote speakers, Bridget Jacobo, a Department of Social Services Disability Evaluation Analyst, noted, "I work for a federally-funded program, and the furlough is wreaking havoc on my department because we are forced to take the day off."

DMV worker Roland Becht, who also addressed the public audience, added that "there's no cost saving for the state" in furloughing workers.

"250,000 licenses and registrations will not be processed today," said Becht. "You won't want to go to the DMV on Monday."

Besides, Becht added, "That's going to create a whole lot of overtime. There's another problem created that we didn't even have before."

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trapper

February 6, 2009 | 6:38 PM

Everyone is cutting back, why can't State workers be asked to do the same. 10% pay cut is nothing compared to those that are loosing their jobs. Time to get real people; nobody has any better ideas, especially from SEIU who is totally out of touch as to what needs to be done to stop the bleeding on behalf of the State.

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Jonathan Mendick

February 6, 2009 | 9:34 PM

"Everyone is cutting back" is a generalization that is not universally true and vague to the point of obscurity. Are you or someone you know losing their job or getting their pay cut? How can you say that the SEIU is out of touch if indeed "nobody has better ideas"? Do you have any specific ideas about what needs to be done to fix the budget?

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trapper

February 6, 2009 | 10:39 PM

Jonathan, have you been reading the business section over the last year? Unemployment in CA is nearing double digits. Yes, I was in the third round of layoff several months ago... so what? My idea is to cut State spending 10% and raise a few taxes. Yes I know some agencies and service will be hurt more than others, but without do it this way the standoff under the dome will go on and on till the States broke... then what? I hope people get super pissed-off and start thrashing State buildings; it seems to be the ONLY time politicians listen to the people.

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120741

February 7, 2009 | 6:15 AM

That the State eployees (not workers) even get paid is a miracle, if anyone should take a cut it is State employees. Feel very lucky that anyone would pay you for what little you do.

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Ben Ilfeld

February 7, 2009 | 10:15 AM

I'm consistenly amazed that we undervalue the work of not only State workers but our government in general.

I am glad that I went to public schools, happy to drive on public roads, drink public water, have my trash picked up and my sewage taken away.

We do so much together in our society and I am proud of what we have built for our common education, for our common safety, and as a foundation for all the prosperity we enjoy as a society here in The United Sates, in California, and in Sacramento.

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