Employees at state colleges and universities in Illinois are now subject to 15 days of furlough -- a measure meant to avoid layoffs.
How would you like it if your boss ordered you to take the day off? Heck take the week. In fact, take three weeks! But there's a catch: you won't be paid for those days.
A new rule allows state schools to do just that, essentially cutting employees' pay. The rule was approved by a bipartisan, bicameral administrative committee, over the objection of labor unions ... who wanted to make sure the rule allowed them to negotiate changes in pay.
The rule was proposed by the association of civil service employees, whose director, Jeff Brownfield, points to the way collective bargaining agreements were honored this past summer when Western and Northeastern Illinois Universities furloughed employees.
"Some unions agreed to it; some did not. And based on that, then a program was put in place. Or a partial program was put in place. Those that didn't agree were not part of a furlough program."
Northern Illinois University's finance director says furloughs are not expected at the school in the near future.
Alan Phillips is the Vice President for Administration and Finance. He says the school has been staying afloat in the short term, but adds current funding levels are not sustainable.
"We've been fairly successful over the last couple of years managing through attrition, which is obviously the preferable route. But furloughs are not something that we're actively discussing at this time."
The rule takes effect in about 30 days.
