Probation Members Vote for Furloughs, Save Jobs
October 30, 2009
Faced with seeing 75 of their colleagues and fellow union members out of work beginning Monday, probation officers (Local 229) and assistant chief probation officers (Local 118) voted in favor of taking 8 furlough days to prevent layoffs. Ballots were counted today at NAGE headquarters; the furlough option received 424 votes, with layoffs receiving 348.
"I'm gratified by the outcome of this vote," said National President David J. Holway. "People stuck together at great cost to themselves in this tough economic environment. It's a very selfless act to put the interests of your fellow workers above your own, and that's what they did. It's unionism at its best, and I'm very proud of what they did."
Local 229 President-elect Margaret Thompson echoed Holway's remarks.
"I got right on the phone and told people to come to work on Monday," she said. "There were tears. These people are just so grateful for their co-workers' support of them and their families. There is great relief that people won't be losing their jobs."
Among the 20 or so ballot counters, there were expressions of relief, joy, and even surprise.
Brian Quinn, president of Local 118 said he wasn't expecting the vote to turn out in favor of furloughs.
"I was actually surprised by the vote," he said. "But this just shows you that people voted with their hearts and really care about other members and their families."
There was also talk of the importance of sticking together in tough times, of believing in the values of union solidarity.
Jack Alicandro, president of Local 229 said, "This was a very proud moment for all of us. The members considered the whole instead of the individual when they voted to save so many jobs. This is what unions are all about."
It has been a tough few weeks and some very stressful days as the probation members awaited the decision of the governor to accept or veto funding passed by the legislature. As word came down that the governor had struck the funding language, hearts sank and 75 hardworking individuals prepared to clear out their desks. David Bernard, NAGE Director of the Trial Courts, fielded dozens of calls from members, some of whom feared losing their jobs and many more who expressed a ready willingness to take furlough days to save their co-workers' paychecks.
At close to noon today, ballot counters began filing into NAGE headquarters, unsure of what the future held for 75 workers and their families. Early results showed a close race, but as the counting went on, the spread widened in favor of furloughs and it became clear that jobs would be saved. Throughout the room, there was palpable relief, expressions of humility, and a general feeling of goodwill over what had occurred.
"I congratulate the members on this vote," said Bernard. "They showed an incredible amount of courage in these votes."
Although the vote for furloughs is over, the work on behalf of probation members goes on. NAGE is urging all probation officers and assistant chief probation officers to call their state representatives and state senators to urge them to override Governor Patrick's spending veto. Members should call 617-722-2000 and ask for their legislators by name.