May 22, 2008 8:12 pm US/Eastern
4-Day Work Week Could Become Law On Long Island
LINDENHURST, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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The four-day work week could become a law on Long Island. (File)
CBS
It's a trend that's gaining more and more steam across the country: the four-day work week. Believe it or not, it's tied to record-high gas prices.
Now it's fueling one lawmaker to float the idea on Long Island.
As gas prices soar and commuters feel the pinch on their already tight budgets, legislator Wayne Horsely (D-Suffolk Co.) is proposing new legislation Thursday to cut a day off the work week.
"This program will allow you to spend more time with your family, and less time stuck on the L.I.E. or in traffic," he announced.
Around 400 Suffolk County employees would spend the summer working four 10-hour days, cutting back their commuting time and reducing their fuel costs by 20 percent.
Horsely said the plan should be considered nationwide.
"If we have 1/5 less drivers on the road, nationwide we can save 1.6 million barrels of oil per day," he said.
Under the proposal, only non-union county workers could participate.
It's something the president of the Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees supports. She represents 7,000 county workers.
Diane Rein is Horsley's Chief of Staff and already has plans for her extra day off.
"With my day off, I have a list a mile long. Especially this time of year, around the house, gardening, things along that line," she said.
And other non-government commuters hope the trend will get the green light, with most agreeing it would have its advantages.
Horsely is also proposing a winter program that would include a four-day work week. The county would use the extra day to cut back on energy use and costs in county buildings.
The Legislature will vote on the resolution in June.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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