HONOLULU – Gov. Linda Lingle sent written layoff notices today to 1,100 state workers who had previously been told they could lose their jobs because of the state’s budget deficit.

The workers would lose their jobs on Nov. 13.
The governor also announced that she has ordered 900 nonunion state workers to take three furlough days a month starting in September. The workers are in exempt positions and are not covered by a Circuit Court ruling last month that furloughs for union workers should be subject to collective bargaining negotiations with public-sector labor unions.
Lingle said she took the actions today because of the deteriorating economy and the slow pace of labor talks with the unions.
“It is unfortunate we must take these difficult steps today,” Lingle said in a statement. “Furloughs have always been my first choice to achieve significant labor cost reductions needed to address the unprecedented budget shortfall the State is facing.”
Lingle said the layoff notices include information about seniority that will help determine whether workers have the right to bump more junior colleagues and avoid layoff. The governor also said she met with her Cabinet today to discuss a potential second round of layoffs.
The governor estimated her new furlough order would save the state $7 million to $10 million each year. The governor announced last month that she and her Cabinet would two furlough days a month in addition to a 5 percent pay cut. She said, however, that they all would likely come to work on furlough days even though they would not be paid.
The state is facing a $786 million budget deficit through June 2011.