THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412220567
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
For Christmas, half of the 10-person staff that runs the governor's mansion received pink slips saying they had been fired.
The tidings weren't much merrier for the rest of the 110,000 people who work for the state. Gov. George F. Allen's recent proposal to eliminate 1,100 jobs in the coming year and many times more that in the future has created a wave of paranoia in the state work force.
``State employees are in the worst mood I've ever seen,'' said Del. C. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, a 22-year veteran of the legislature. ``They're pervaded by two evil twins - fear and hate. They fear for their jobs, and they hate the position they've been put in.''
State employees refuse to discuss their concerns publicly, saying they don't want to anger Allen and pointing to an administration directive that they notify their supervisors of all conversations with reporters.
But, privately, several employees recently acknowledged that morale has never been lower.
``Most people went into state government because they were idealistic about performing public service,'' said an employee at the state library. ``Most of us are very conscientious about our jobs and we feel as if the governor has targeted us personally.''
In his 1995 budget proposals, Allen recommended closing the Shenandoah Regional Laboratory, which analyzes feed and fertilizer. ``Right now, we're trying to get ready for Christmas even though the governor has just about killed it for us,'' said one of the 27 employees Allen would lay off.
``There is a great deal of fear and apprehension everywhere,'' said a worker in the Health and Human Services Department. ``All the talk you hear is about pending layoffs. The waiting is hard. I almost wish it would all happen now so that we can move on.''
But there's no telling how long the paranoia will last. Workers who survive next year's layoffs may not be in the clear. Allen is considering a proposal to eliminate a total of 16,000 jobs.
Allen will try to soften the burden by offering state employees a buyout plan early next year. Workers willing to resign would be offered one week of pay for every year of service in state government up to 26 years.
Several employees said the offer is inadequate.
``Jobs are hard to find,'' said a Health and Human Services employee. ``I'm almost 50 years old, and private employers aren't crying out for someone my age.''
``The best and the brightest (state employees) may be able to take the buyout because they can find other jobs,'' said one employee, who asked that his department not be identified. ``But where will that leave state government?''
``A lot of people are going home and working on their resumes,'' said an Education Department employee. ``It's sad to see.'' by CNB