Santa Cruz County Furloughs Workers, Shuts Down Government

Santa Cruz County, California will furlough its 1,800 workers and temporarily close government offices, under a deal struck with the Service Employees Union International. The moves will save 50 jobs.

County offices will shut down for 13 days over the next year, with employees taking the days as unpaid leave.

The Sheriff’s Office and other vital agencies will remain open during the furloughs. The sheriff’s employees have accepted short-term pay cuts and furloughs, in exchange for raises in future years.

The County had intended to eliminate 212 jobs, two-thirds through layoffs.