AFSCME Meets with Office of Administration on Hiring Freeze

October 29, 2008

C13 Executive Director, David R. Fillman; Executive Assistant, Karen Black; and Grievance Dept. Director, Gary McCaulley, met with the Governor's Office of Administration to address concerns regarding already understaffed areas of the Commonwealth, and a possible increase in contracting out AFSCME bargaining unit work, as a result of the hiring freeze.  We were advised of the following:

• 1)      There will be no increase in contracts

 

• 2)     Understaffed facilities can file for exceptions to the freeze

 

• 3)      Exceptions have already been granted for PennDOT winter maintenance;

   and the Agriculture Farm Show seasonal positions

 

• 4)     Temporary clerical pool will remain available for agencies to use for the filling of temporary positions

 

The hiring freeze is a measure that has been taken to avoid the furlough of Commonwealth employees and is expected to remain in effect through the current fiscal year, at least. 

Internal promotions within agencies will not be stopped as a result of the hiring freeze.