Friday was a city of Tulsa employee furlough day

Friday, July 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The city of Tulsa began employee furloughs Friday to save money. News on Six reporter Emory Bryan says Friday was the first day that city of Tulsa employees basically get a day off without pay.

The city cut every employees pay by about 3% - and to make up for the loss - everyone gets a few extra days off. Tulsa City Hall was closed and the doors are locked. Several Tulsans who didn't know about the furlough arrived at city hall to pay utility bills - only to find they would have to wait until Monday.

The furlough is part of a salary rollback for employees - that will help city leaders balance the budget. Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune, "all the employees are off the job at the city today except of course the zoo and Gilcrease, the airport but basically city hall and administrative offices are closed today."

City hall will be closed again on Columbus Day, and individual employees have the choice of another day and a half off - that they must take before the end of the year.

Most city employees will be back on the job Monday.