News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Oklahoma Corporation Commission Furloughs Employees
A 2008 report from the Oklahoma Office of Personal Management found that the average state employee makes $5,000 less than the average worker in the state.
Mark Beutler with the OPEA said if furloughs continue, he fears state employees will go elsewhere.By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission announced Thursday it will furlough employees because of the state's budget shortfall.
Furloughs could start as early as next month for nearly 500 state employees. Each employee with the Corporation Commission will be furloughed once a month for the next fiscal year, which will be a total of 12 days without pay.
Corporation Commission Chairman Bob Anthony said the furloughs were the only way to make up the estimated 20 percents cuts to the commission over the next fiscal year.
"That's where you have to go if you're going to make significant and major substantial adjustments, which is the position we're in," Bob Anthony said. "We knew early this was going to be a tough year as far as budget."
Mark Beutler is with the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, which serves as the voice for state employees. Beutler said he feared furloughs would become a reality for some time.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed that this furlough situation with the Corporation Commission does not trickle down to other state agencies," Beutler said.
If other agencies are affected by furloughs, Beutlers said it could force state employees to go elsewhere. According to a 2008 report, the Oklahoma Office of Personal Management found state employees make on average of $35,000 a year, which is $5,000 less than the average worker in Oklahoma.
"They're already on the bottom end of the ladder, so it's easy for them to go out and go to the private sector and in some cases double and triple their salary," Beutler said.
The Corporation Commissions announced it is also considering offering early retirement to certain employees.
Anthony said he is not sure if this is the end of furloughs, but things are so bad financially that everything that will cut costs is strongly being considered.
OPEA officials said the best way to avoid furloughs to other agencies is for the governor to dip into the rainy day fund.
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