South Carolina workers forced into furloughs

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Story Published: Dec 18, 2008 at 11:00 PM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 11:15 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's health and environmental
agency says its employees must take five days off without pay
between January and May.

Commissioner Earl Hunter of the Department of Health and
Environmental Control says the furloughs will save the agency
nearly $4 million and allow 75 people to keep their jobs this
fiscal year.

The health agency is just the latest to require furloughs,
following a series of state budget cuts. Others mandating unpaid
leave include the state Education Department, colleges, the
Forestry Commission, and Department of Juvenile Justice.

Hunter says his agency has been cut by more than $32 million
since the summer. It employs 4,194 people.

He told employees in a letter Thursday that layoffs are possible
next year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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