Fight Back Against Ferguson’s Furloughs
On February 27th, Governor Bob Ferguson proposed a series of cuts to state services over the next two years, including requiring most state employees to take 12 furloughs per year – a pay cut of more than 4%. The governor’s proposal also includes cuts to government programs, such as cutting food assistance at the Department of Agriculture and wildland fire staffing & preparedness at the Department of Natural Resources.
It is morally and logically wrong to balance the budget on the backs of state employees and Washingtonians who rely on public services. When the state is already in the middle of a staffing crisis, when most state employees are paid well below market value, when negotiated wage increases fail to keep up with inflation, it would be disastrous for the state to force workers to take a pay cut via furloughs.
TAKE ACTION NOW - 2 Steps to Success!
Step 1 - Make a Call
The governor and the legislature need to hear loud and clear that furloughs and service cuts are the wrong way out this budget shortfall. Here’s what you can do:
Look up your who your legislators are using the District Finder and contact them directly.
“Hello, my name is _____________ , I’m a state employee at _____________, and I’m a member of the Washington Public Employees Association. I’m asking you to reject Governor Ferguson’s proposed furloughs and service cuts. Furloughs like this would wipe out the pay increase we just negotiated, and would mean that I/my family would have to ______________.
We cannot afford to balance the budget on the back of state employees. Instead we must meet this moment with political courage, embrace new progressive sources of revenue, and protect the vital services that we state employees provide every day. Please commit to opposing these furloughs. Thank you.”
“Hello, my name is _________ , I’m a state employee at _______________, and I’m a member of the Washington Public Employees Association. I’m calling to urge Governor Ferguson to abandon his proposal to balance the budget on the backs of state employees. State employees cannot afford the pay cuts he’s proposing. These furloughs would wipe out the pay increase we just negotiated, and would mean that I/my family would have to _________________.
We can’t cut our way out of this. Governor Ferguson has the opportunity to meet this moment with courage by embracing new progressive revenue sources and protecting the vital services that state employees do every day. Thank you.”
Step 2 - Attend a Town Hall
Town halls are one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard. Lawmakers need to hear directly from state employees about the real impact of these proposed cuts and why furloughs are unacceptable. By showing up and speaking out, we can push our elected officials to take action and protect our jobs and the public services we provide.
Here’s how to participate:
🔹 Find a Town Hall Near You
Legislators from both parties are holding town hall meetings across the state. These events give you the opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and urge lawmakers to reject the governor’s proposed cuts.
🔹 Prepare Your Comments
When speaking at a town hall, be clear and direct. Lawmakers need to hear how furloughs would impact you, your family, and the work you do. Use personal examples to make your message powerful.
Here’s a sample statement you can use or modify:
"Hello, my name is ____________, and I’m a state employee at ____________. I’m here today because I’m deeply concerned about Governor Ferguson’s proposal to cut public services and require furloughs for state workers. Furloughs would take away the pay increases we just fought for, making it even harder for my family to make ends meet. Our state is already struggling with worker shortages, and cutting wages will only drive more people away from public service. Instead of balancing the budget on the backs of workers, I urge you to find progressive revenue solutions and protect the services that Washingtonians rely on. Will you commit to opposing these cuts?"
🔹 Bring Co-Workers & Community Members
Strength is in numbers! If you can, attend with fellow members or allies who are also impacted. The more voices lawmakers hear, the harder it will be for them to ignore the harm these cuts will cause.
Let’s make sure our voices are heard loud and clear—furloughs are not the answer!
It is morally and logically wrong to balance the budget on the backs of state employees and Washingtonians who rely on public services. When the state is already in the middle of a staffing crisis, when most state employees are paid well below market value, when negotiated wage increases fail to keep up with inflation, it would be disastrous for the state to force workers to take a pay cut via furloughs.
TAKE ACTION NOW - 2 Steps to Success!
Step 1 - Make a Call
The governor and the legislature need to hear loud and clear that furloughs and service cuts are the wrong way out this budget shortfall. Here’s what you can do:
- Call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000, and tell your lawmakers to reject Governor Ferguson’s proposed cuts to state employees and public services. Remember to be passionate, but also polite (the person answering the phone is a state employee too!). Tell them how furloughs would affect you, your family, or the work of your agency. See below for a sample call script.
Look up your who your legislators are using the District Finder and contact them directly.
“Hello, my name is _____________ , I’m a state employee at _____________, and I’m a member of the Washington Public Employees Association. I’m asking you to reject Governor Ferguson’s proposed furloughs and service cuts. Furloughs like this would wipe out the pay increase we just negotiated, and would mean that I/my family would have to ______________.
We cannot afford to balance the budget on the back of state employees. Instead we must meet this moment with political courage, embrace new progressive sources of revenue, and protect the vital services that we state employees provide every day. Please commit to opposing these furloughs. Thank you.”
- Contact the governor’s office online here or by calling 360-902-4111. Tell the governor to rescind his all-cuts proposal, including how furloughs would directly affect you, your family, and/or the work of your agency:
“Hello, my name is _________ , I’m a state employee at _______________, and I’m a member of the Washington Public Employees Association. I’m calling to urge Governor Ferguson to abandon his proposal to balance the budget on the backs of state employees. State employees cannot afford the pay cuts he’s proposing. These furloughs would wipe out the pay increase we just negotiated, and would mean that I/my family would have to _________________.
We can’t cut our way out of this. Governor Ferguson has the opportunity to meet this moment with courage by embracing new progressive revenue sources and protecting the vital services that state employees do every day. Thank you.”
Step 2 - Attend a Town Hall
Town halls are one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard. Lawmakers need to hear directly from state employees about the real impact of these proposed cuts and why furloughs are unacceptable. By showing up and speaking out, we can push our elected officials to take action and protect our jobs and the public services we provide.
Here’s how to participate:
🔹 Find a Town Hall Near You
Legislators from both parties are holding town hall meetings across the state. These events give you the opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and urge lawmakers to reject the governor’s proposed cuts.
- Senate Democrats: Find upcoming town halls
- House Democrats: See the full schedule
- House Republicans: Find Republican-led town halls
🔹 Prepare Your Comments
When speaking at a town hall, be clear and direct. Lawmakers need to hear how furloughs would impact you, your family, and the work you do. Use personal examples to make your message powerful.
Here’s a sample statement you can use or modify:
"Hello, my name is ____________, and I’m a state employee at ____________. I’m here today because I’m deeply concerned about Governor Ferguson’s proposal to cut public services and require furloughs for state workers. Furloughs would take away the pay increases we just fought for, making it even harder for my family to make ends meet. Our state is already struggling with worker shortages, and cutting wages will only drive more people away from public service. Instead of balancing the budget on the backs of workers, I urge you to find progressive revenue solutions and protect the services that Washingtonians rely on. Will you commit to opposing these cuts?"
🔹 Bring Co-Workers & Community Members
Strength is in numbers! If you can, attend with fellow members or allies who are also impacted. The more voices lawmakers hear, the harder it will be for them to ignore the harm these cuts will cause.
Let’s make sure our voices are heard loud and clear—furloughs are not the answer!
MORE INFO
On Wednesday, March 20th, the Senate Democratic Caucus proposed a revenue package that generates billions of dollars in revenue to help balance the state budget, while cutting the state sales tax. Their list of proposals includes:
- taxing intangible property for those people with more than $50 million;
- letting total property taxes increase with population and inflation, whereas now property taxes cannot increase with inflation.
- cutting the state’s portion of the sales tax from 6.5% to 6%. The sales tax is fundamentally regressive, in that the wealthy pay less of their overall income in sales taxes than working families do.
You can read the full proposal from Senate Democrats here.
This is the type of approach that the legislature must adopt to close the budget gap, instead of the kinds of destructive cuts and furloughs that have been proposed by Governor Ferguson. Contact your lawmakers today to tell them to reject furloughs and an all-cuts budget, and ask them to balance our budget (and our tax code) by taxing the wealthiest Washingtonians.
Updated March 14: Legislators still considering furlough of Washington state employees as lawmakers meet. Click here.
Read about the furloughs at The Stand.
See Governor Ferguson’s press release about the proposal here.
FAQ
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