Unions make a move to help CA with budget deficit

A tax limitation organization says California unions may be finally waking up to reality by agreeing to a year of furloughs.

California's largest state workers union has agreed to continue a year of furloughs and will see an almost five-percent cut in pay and hours. The Service Employees International Union Local 1000 said that 66 percent of members agreed to take 12 unpaid days. The agreement follows a proposal by Governor Jerry Brown to cut the state to a four-day workweek.

Lew Uhler, founder of the National Tax Limitation Committee, discusses the unions' response to the state's budget deficit.

"They're at least beginning to recognize reality in making concessions, although simply taking a day off without pay is not a particularly significant concession," he remarks.

The agreement comes in the midst of pressure for employee unions to make cuts to pay and benefits in light of California's budget deficit.

"There is little tolerance for any complaints from public servants who are paid more on average than private sector workers," Uhler says.

Under the agreement, employees will have some say over when they will take their unpaid days.