California has begun sending5,000 layoff notices out to state workers. The job cuts are part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to balance a growing budget deficit. The lion’s share of the layoffs – about 3,600 – will come from the state’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Secretary Matthew Cate says the impact will be felt throughout the department.
“Including correctional officers, parole agents, office technicians, case records working, cooks, you name it,” says Cate.
Cate says notices will go to staffers with 15 months or less of seniority.
The other roughly 1,400 notices will be spread throughout other departments supported by the state’s general fund. State officials say the goal is to find many of the affected workers different jobs within state government. Those would be in places like the DMV or the Employment Development Department, which are funded by fees – or the federal government.
