Schwarzenegger Plan Balances Budget on the Backs of Workers

Statement by California Labor Federation Legislative Director Angie Wei

 

“Governor Schwarzenegger's latest ‘budget compromise’ is yet another proposal to balance the state budget on the backs of workers. First, Schwarzenegger introduced an all-cuts budget that would slash services and jobs for Californians. Then, he issued an Executive Order to lay-off thousands of state workers and cut the pay for nearly 200,000 workers down to the federal minimum wage. Now, he is trying to cut pay for private sector workers as well, by taking away the eight-hour day and our overtime pay.

“These proposals are not only unconscionable, but they make no economic sense. At a time when working families are struggling every day to make ends meet, it is outrageous that the governor would propose taking away their basic workplace protections, and in some cases, their jobs.

“These ‘economic stimulus proposals’ are simply big business giveaways. They do nothing to help bridge our structural budget gap, and they have no place in budget negotiations. The governor should focus on securing bipartisan support for a balanced budget solution, rather than placating his corporate donors with worker takeaways.”

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