The Un-Labor Day

I sit at work today with very, very few folks around me working...in King County, Washington. Our county government, in all it's wisdom, has pretty much followed the lead of the rest of the country and over-drawn it's checkbook. Millions and millions and millions of dollars in debt the County Executive had an idea. (He didn't have to ride out the outcome because he was headed to Washington, the D.C. Washington, to be an assistant to an assistant cabinet member or something.) He decided the people he left behind would have 10 fewer pay days this year.

So today, the Friday before Labor Day weekend, all but the "essential personnel" (firefighters, health department workers, etc. including cops, like me) have to take the day off, without pay. There are 10 of these days this year and in 2010 they're thinking of pushing it up to 20 days. That will amount to one whole paycheck not being in some one's checkbook, or attached to their mortgage payment or being used to buy fuel to get to work, if they still have a job.

So this afternoon I eat leftover, microwave-warmed chocolate cake at my desk. The supervisor brought it in a few days ago to boost morale. I don't know if it worked. All I know is, the people who ate the cake are home right now without having earned a penny for today.

I guess I CAN have my cake and eat it too.

You should see me when I'm crabby.