Posted by Tula Connell to AFL-CIO NOW
Apparently, Arnie wasn’t sufficiently vicious when he unilaterally cut the pay of California state employees to the minimum wage in a drama queen move over the state budget impasse.
Now, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is suing the state controller, who refuses to go along with the Terminator’s tantrum.
On July 31, Schwarzenneger signed an executive order cutting the pay of 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.65 an hour beginning in September. On top of that, the order lays off 22,000 part-time and temporary workers.
Democratic lawmakers and others, including the California Labor Federation, say closing tax loopholes—better enforcement and collection of existing taxes and new sources of revenue like the one that allows wealthy Californians to buy yachts tax free—can help close the deficit and protect services.
Celeste Knox is one of the laid-off workers (see video). The day before she was fired without notice, the single mother of two signed a contract for a house. Now, she doesn’t know if she can feed her kids.
Listen to her testimony and tell Arnie what you think here.
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