In a desperate attempt to save money, King County, Washington will close all non-essential public offices for a total of 10 days in 2009, spreading the closures out throughout the year beginning on January, 2. Though the plan includes non-union employees too, County Executive Ron Sims is hoping for union support on the proposal (ratification of 15 county-employee unions), which requires workers to go unpaid for the 10 days off. The unpaid closures would save the county $15 million, though it already faces a budget deficit totaling $93 million. Sims plans to impose the leave even without union support, in light of union refusal to negotiate cost-of-living concessions. He cannot force pay concessions from bus drivers, deputies, or jails guards, however, because a furlough could endanger the public and effectively halt transportation.
See "King County plans to close its offices for 10 days to save money", Keith Ervin, The Seattle Times, October 27, 2008