Hundreds of Westmoreland County employees to be furloughed Friday

Furloughs of hundreds of Westmoreland County employees will begin at the end of the workday Friday, but the final number of workers who will be off the job still is in flux, officials said.

Commissioners last week announced that budget strains caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic prompted a suspension of non-essential government operations and job cuts.

“The final number will be between 460 and 500 employees,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes about the number of county workers who will be off the job.

Government functions, which were scaled-back starting March 18, will remain relatively unchanged from current levels instituted when commissioners declared a state of emergency.

Essential staff required to report to work were paid overtime wages for two weeks. Other employees who worked from home or were off the job continued to be paid through the end of this week. Commissioners said a fiscal analysis of the overtime costs throughout March had yet to be completed.

Those costs, though, are expected to be significant to a county budget that was in jeopardy of running at a deficit even prior to the pandemic. The 2020 budget was balanced by using $5.5 million from a surplus fund, which is expected to be all but exhausted by year’s end.

County officials initially said they wanted to avoid layoffs but said indefinite furloughs were necessary because of the budgetary strains caused by the pandemic. Furloughed workers will continue to receive health benefits, and most are expected to return their jobs once county operations resume in full.

Meanwhile, commissioners on Thursday formalized policy changes to allow county workers to receive paid time off for illness and child day care issues related to the coronavirus.

“I know this week coming up will be a tough week. We stand united in solidarity amid this pandemic,” Kertes said.

Commissioners said the county will illuminate the courthouse dome starting this weekend to show support for county workers and residents.

Commissioner Gina Cerilli called on county residents to participate in a regional effort slated for April 7, and again on April 14, to show support for essential workers amid the pandemic scare by flipping on porch lights and applauding first responders, hospital employees, grocery store clerks, delivery drivers and others who continue to work.

“If Westmoreland County residents want to join in this, that would be great,” Cerilli said.