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State employees’ union responds to Governor’s announcement of budget cuts

Sept. 10, 2008 (Columbus) – The largest state employees’ union today responded to Governor Strickland’s announcement that he would cut $540 million from the state budget, including $199 million from state agencies. The move represents a 4.75 percent cut across the board for agencies with the exception of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Department of Youth Services, as well as other exempted programs outlined in a press release. The line item representing community and hospital mental health services will take a 2 percent cut.

“It’s never a good day when the government safety net of services for Ohioans is cut, particularly when enrollment for services like Medicaid, unemployment and job training are at record levels,” said Ohio Civil Service Employees Association President Eddie L. Parks. “Cutting these services always comes with a cost.”

“State services and state employees have taken the lion share of cuts recently and historically,” said OCSEA Executive Director Andy Douglas. State agencies bore the brunt of a $733 million cut earlier this year resulting in hundreds of layoffs, the elimination of hundreds of positions through early retirement as well as the closure of two mental health hospitals and the shuttering of buildings on Developmental Center campuses.

This is devastating news for state employees who are still reeling from cutbacks earlier this year, according to the union. “We worked very hard to find employment for our members during this last round of cuts. To the degree that our members are affected again, we will continue to follow that procedure,” said Parks.

OCSEA union leaders will be talking with agency heads in the days ahead concerning likely scenarios in their agencies. Departments have until September 22 to submit their budget plans to the governor.

OCSEA represents 35,000 state employees. For more information contact Sally Meckling, 614-865-2602 or 614-404-3881 (cell).

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