Protests Continue in California; Controller Says It Could Take Six Months to Implement Pay Cut - 08/05/08

Another day of protests in California by state workers who watched as the Governor cut their pay down to the federal minimum last week, in what he says is an attempt to save money as a budget stalemate continues in the state legislature, but critics say is a political stunt that takes workers' pay hostage. On Monday, State Controller John Chiang, who last week vowed to defy Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's executive order, said that it will take six months to adjust the state’s computer system to start paying workers a minimum wage. He told the Sacramento Bee that adjusting the system could result in pay discrepancies that could eventually lead to lawsuits. Members of the Service Employees International Union have organized protests up and down the state. Many demonstrations will occur before work and after work and during lunch breaks. The state legislature is eight weeks late in passing the state budget.