Update 5/7/20 - Agreement reached between Cayuga County and CSEA Bargaining Unit
An agreement has been reached between Cayuga County and the CSEA Bargaining Unit regarding the furlough process for its members as a cost savings response to initial reports of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The furlough for CSEA members is effective May 11 through July 31, 2020.
As we continue to monitor the financial impact of COVID-19 on Cayuga County as a whole, furloughs enable the County to realize temporary cost savings now to help close the anticipated budget gap. While the County is at state-mandated workforce reduction, we recognize the federal resources available as outlined in the Federal Cares Act, specifically the additional $600 per week of enhanced employment compensation. Employees temporarily furloughed have the potential to have a greater financial gain on unemployment through July 31, 2020 than they would if they remained on the County payroll. The County will continue to contribute the County’s portion of the health insurance for those furloughed employees that are currently covered by the County’s healthcare policy.
“We appreciate our employees immeasurably and understand these are challenging times of uncertainty,” said Aileen McNabb-Coleman, Chair of the Cayuga County Legislature.
4/28/20 - County government is not immune to pandemic’s financial impact
At its meeting on Tuesday, April 28th, the Cayuga County Legislature voted to furlough 11% of its workforce in light of serious anticipated revenue losses and cost increases associated with the county’s Coronavirus COVID-19 response. The furloughs will go into effect on Sunday, May 3 until on or about July 31, 2020. The county currently operates at 50% reduced staffing in buildings and remains committed to its service delivery during this public health crisis.
“As elected officials, we have a dual responsibility to our workforce and taxpayers,” said Aileen McNabb-Coleman, Chair of the Cayuga County Legislature, “It would not be prudent to wait until this crisis is over to address the county’s financial situation. This was certainly not a decision we made lightly and we were mindful that the impacted employees will not suffer financial or benefit losses during this difficult time.”