State workers get the pink slip
SACRAMENTO State workers protested, once more, in Sacramento. This time, they delivered Governor Schwarzenegger his own pink slip.
"The Governor has failed, and we are here to say, 'Governor Schwarzenegger, you are terminated!" said SEIU Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker.
Also hand delivered: a lawsuit from the union. It accuses the governor of failing to follow proper labor procedures before he signed the order that laid off 10,000 part-time and temporary state workers; for example, giving advanced warning.
SEIU Local 1000 also accuses the governor of unfair labor practices for cutting the pay of 200,000 during contract negotiations.
"The governor is on shaky legal ground in issuing this executive order," said SEIU attorney Brooke Pierman.
The Governor's Office insists the executive order is legal. In addition, once the long-overdue budget is passed, state workers will get their jobs back and will receive normal salaries. Until then, Governor Schwarzenegger has to preserve the state's dwindling cash account.
"The governor is willing to move ahead in making sure that the state can meet its obligations. If that means we have to go to court to fulfill this executive order then that's what we need to do," said Aaron McLear, press secretary to Governor Schwarzenegger.
Meanwhile, Californians are already feeling the effects of the layoffs at most DMV offices. With 1,000 workers already laid off, customers are experiencing longer waits.
"About 2 and a half hours, honestly. That's ridiculous," said DMV customer Roselyn Rush.
Labor Secretary Victoria Bradshaw said Californians with workers' compensation or short-term disability claims will take longer to process.