Wayne County Announces Over 200 Employees Laid Off Or Furloughed

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — More than 220 Wayne County employees have been either laid-off or furloughed, leaving over 600 open positions unfilled but saving the county in excess of $30 million as it battles with economic strain caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

County officials announced the move to lay-off or furlough 227 employees after it was approved by the Wayne County Commission after negotiations with employee bargaining units. The move allows Wayne County save $30.3 million.

"This is a difficult but necessary step to help balance the county's budget in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic," Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said in a statement. "I thank Commission Chairwoman Bell and her fellow commissioners for ratifying my administration's recommendations to reduce costs during this emergency."

Unpaid furloughs will last at least 90 days, but can be extended to 150 days if required by the ongoing pandemic. All but one county union agreed to furloughs as an alternative to layoffs, which allow furloughed employees to retain benefits like health insurance.

"I also want to thank the members of local unions for working with the County and agreeing to participate in unpaid furloughs for some of their members," Evans said. "I also want to express my disappointment that our largest union did not accept unpaid furloughs instead of layoffs as we all work to balance the County's budget during this public health emergency."

The county recently announced that it was facing a $152 million deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff reductions follow a spending and salary freeze ordered by Evans on Monday. Under the order, all overtime, travel, operating services, supplies, professional services, other charges, acquisitions, major repairs, subscriptions, memberships, equipment and capital purchases, and other expenditures will require special approval by an executive review committee.

Despite those measures, officials said staff reductions were necessary to address the deficit.

"I am cognizant of the hardship this decision creates for our employees who are most affected," Evans said. "We have taken steps to ensure continued health benefits with no immediate cost to furloughed employees, and the county will process unemployment applications for furloughed employees, which we hope will make this transition a little easier."

Officials are working on an updated two-year budget forecast that assesses every fund and department as well as evaluated potential investment losses in pension and other post-employment benefit plans.