Gov. Inslee cancels pay raises for government employees, announces furloughs for state employees

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday the cancellation of a scheduled 3% general wage increase for many of the state’s highest-paid general government employees and the start of furloughs for most state employees.

The canceled pay raises will impact nearly 5,600 general government employees.

“COVID-19 has hit our state hard and our economy has taken a severe hit as a result. These are very difficult decisions, but they are necessary to address the financial shortfall that we are facing,” Inslee said. “Every day, state employees serve the people of Washington with dedication, and these actions do not reflect on that commitment or quality of their work. In this current financial situation, everyone needs to make sacrifices, and we know this will not be easy. I know that our state will come out of these difficult times stronger than ever.”

Most state employees were scheduled to receive the general wage increase July 1, but under Inslee’s directive, cabinet agencies will cancel the pay raise for agency directors, exempt management service and Washington management service employees and all other exempt employees who earn more than $53,000 annually.

No later than June 28, more than 40,000 state employees will be required to take one furlough day per week through July 25. After July, employees will be required to take one furlough day per month at least through the fall, according to the governor's office. Employees will also be allowed to take voluntary unpaid furloughs.

“This was a very difficult decision. We know the furloughs will put additional pressure on all employees as they will need to help shoulder additional work and responsibilities in the short term,” said David Schumacher, director of the state Office of Financial Management. “We also recognize that furloughs and not extending the general wage increase to all employees will cause financial hardship for some state employees.”

According to the state, the canceled wage increases and furloughs will save the state Near General Fund about $55 million over the next year.

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