July 7, 2010

WFSE/AFSCME's furlough bargainers deliver petitions to governor; all 1,891 signers have names read as chief of staff looks on

WFSE/AFSCME President Carol Dotlich (right) reads the names of each of the 1,891 members who signed "FurloUGHs URT" petitions as the union's special furlough bargaining team deposits them on the newly refinished conference table in the governor's office.

The governor's chief of staff, Jay Manning (left) looks on and responds to the team's on-point questions about the furloughs that will cost $94 million in lost federal funds, incur huge overtime costs and harm public access to state services.

The special furlough team delivered the petitions, joined by members of the Community College Coalition Bargaining Team, during a lunch break on the second day of negotiations over the furloughs set to start Monday.

"This isn't about us--it's about the people we serve," said furlough bargaining team member Julianne Moore, Local 1326, Yakima Valley School (foreground).

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