Union Contract Requires Sending Layoff Notices in Advance of Possible Federal Government Shutdown

Governor’s Office Must Comply with Strict Deadline

AUGUSTA – With the vote last week by the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor Paul R. LePage is optimistic that the federal budget compromise will pass swiftly through Congress and avert a January shutdown.

However, there is still a possibility that the federal government will shut down on January 15. Since the Governor is required to adhere to a rigid timeline specified in the state employee contract, layoff notices will begin to go out this afternoon to 58 state employees who are either in federally funded positions or subject to displacement by more senior employees in those positions.

“I was opposed to the October shutdown, and I am opposed to a shutdown in January,” said Governor LePage. “But the MSEA contract is not flexible. It does not allow for late notice of layoff, even in circumstances like these, where there is a strong possibility that the notice will not be needed. The union contract does not take into account government shutdowns or any other unforeseen factors.”

The Governor sent a letter to the employees on Friday, informing them that the notices would be going out.

“It is my sincere hope that by Monday we will have a budget resolution that has passed both houses of Congress so that we can avoid having to send out these notices,” the Governor wrote. “I want to stress that even if the layoff notices are sent out on Monday, my office is hopeful that there will not be a shutdown in January and that the budget deal will be adopted shortly by Congress. Sadly, by the time we know for sure what Congress has done, the contractual notice deadline will have passed.

“I understand this is a very difficult time of year to think about layoffs, and I regret having to take these steps,” Governor LePage wrote. “Our thoughts are with you and your families who may be adversely affected by another federal shutdown, and I sincerely hope Senators in Washington D.C. will do what needs to be done to avoid another shutdown.”