Unions might seek changes to the sliding scale, such as requiring that higher-paid workers take even more furlough days, and several officials said they would seek assurances that employees could recoup lost pay in the future.
The furlough proposal is similar to one used during the 1992 recession, the last time workers were required to take unpaid days off to help ease a budget crisis. Despite his misgivings about the plan, Moran of AFSCME said the progressive system "is more equitable" than requiring all workers to take the same amount of time off.
The plan would affect some unions more than others. For example, the Maryland Professional Employees Council, a division of the American Federation of Teachers, represents about 5,000 better-compensated workers, such as scientists, engineers and skilled administrators.
George Myers, the union's president, said members support the notion of a sliding scale, even though it disproportionately affects them. "We're in bad times," Myers said. "Everybody understands that, and obviously everybody has to take a hit."
But when his bargaining team meets with O'Malley officials today, Myers' union will be looking for "tacit approval" from the governor that "when times are better he will remember" the union's support for the furlough plan.
Rick Abbruzzese, an O'Malley spokesman, said the governor will continue to be "very supportive" of labor, noting the administration has made Maryland the first state to pass a law requiring that government contractors pay workers a "living wage."
"The governor treats our state work force like a partner in helping move our state forward," Abbruzzese said. "Hopefully, our labor leaders appreciate that."
Baltimore Sun reporter Brent Jones contributed to this article.
