The old bait & switch

If you go back and read my January 7 entry about creative finance - how state employees were furloughed for two days then told that we weren't furloughed, but our pay is being reduced. Ah, but today I found out the truth. Today was pay day. I was expecting my pay to be less because I took 4 hours of furlough two weeks ago. However, my pay went up. I couldn't figure how this could be possible. Well, the first way it happened is that I got my 2008 increment - which I always get late because I was hired in April and all employees get their increment depending on their hire date. The other way it happened is that they did not take out my furlough money because this was the first pay period where my new pay rate was in effect, and the governor needs to be sure that my furlough pay is based on the highest pay rate which is the one I just got. So, next week, the state will take my 4 hours of furloough at my higher pay rate. Now, also, because the state needs to take the pay for the administrative leave given on December 26 and January 2, they will begin taking that from every pay from February 11 through June 30. But guess, what! The state is taking what amounts to a week's pay at the NEW salary rate -NOT two days of pay at the old rate! This is why we were given administrative leave. We were not furloughed on December 26 & January 2. Rather, we were FORCED to take two days off from work so the state can deduct a week's worth of pay. And now they call it a salary reduction plan. And it has nothing to do with having two days off. Our salaries are simply reduced - by simple proclamation of the governor! Ah, but never fear. This is so smart. You see, state employees will get no raises this year, but the salary reduction plan will end in June and it will look like we get a salary increase in July when it would be due because the state has reduced our pay for 5 months. I am so glad I live in a blue state!!