Albany County probation officers were stunned by the unexpected announcement of an unpaid furlough plan as this issue of The Communicator goes to press.
County Executive Mike Breslin went public with his plan late in the afternoon Friday, June 26, announcing a five-day furlough to be spread out over the last five months of the year. Breslin said the furloughs are necessary in the face of a $20.5 million budget gap.
PEF is fighting the furloughs.
“Having no probation officers out on the street even one day a week is a huge safety concern,” said Eric Mantey, PEF Division 502 council leader.
“For a fugitive from justice, one day without probation officers on your tail is like hitting the lottery.”
The probation officers have been working under an expired contract since December 31, 2008.
Contract negotiations have been underway since last August.
“This is the first time we’ve heard any discussion of a furlough,” said PEF Region 8 Coordinator Tom Comanzo.
“It amounts to a salary cut of 1.9 percent and targets certain county employees including PEF-represented probation officers, while excluding employees who work for the nursing home and sewer district.
“We are opposed to the furloughs and are exploring all options to prevent them,” Comanzo added.
