A cost-saving plan to require county employees to take six unpaid days off in 2013 has been canceled, Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws said on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
The furlough days, originally written into the 2013 budget, would have saved the county $752,000 in payroll costs. Now, that savings will be achieved by keeping unfilled positions vacant longer and making staff adjustments, Louws said.
The decision to rescind furloughs, what the Executive's Office called "restoring regular service levels" to the public, came out of current contract negotiations with employee unions.
For four years, the county has required furloughs of all employees not involved in essential operations. Last year, county employees took the same 10 unpaid days off, closing most county offices.
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