Numerous state workers have been told verbally today that they will be on a list of potential layoffs sent to public-sector labor unions on Monday.

"The state believes it was appropriate to first inform the affected employees directly before simply putting their names on a list to the union, rather than having them learn from someone else," Gov. Linda Lingle said in a statement. “We strongly believe that letting the affected employees know first was the absolute right thing to do."
Lingle apologized that some workers at the state Department of Human Services were informed of the layoffs by a recorded message.
The governor did not disclose how many workers were notified today.
State workers in several departments — including Agriculture, Health, Labor, Human Services, and Business and Economic Development — reported being notified about layoffs.
Lingle said yesterday that she would not make an announcement about layoffs until next week. Lingle initially had said she would provide unions with a list by the end of last week.
Randy Perreira, the executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, told reporters that it was improper for the Lingle administration to tell workers about layoffs before providing the list to unions.
The governor has to give unions 90-day notice of layoffs. Once the list is provided, the unions have the opportunity to consult with the state before actual layoff notices go out.
Perreira called Lingle's decision to inform workers about possible layoffs on a Friday afternoon at the end of the work week "shameless."
"She's using this as a way to intimidate the employees into submission," he said.
The governor is expected to meet with union leaders early next week, possibly on Tuesday, for contract talks.
The unions offered on Monday to take a 5 percent pay cut to help with the state's budget deficit and the state has yet to formally respond.
Lingle yesterday, however, said she and her Cabinet would take two furlough days a month starting in August. The furloughs are in addition to a previous 5 percent pay cut, which would bring the total salary reduction to 13 percent this fiscal year and 13.7 percent next year.