Under threats by administration officials that up to 2,500 people could be laid off by Oct. 10, labor leaders are scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Monday with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
On Friday the Legislature killed a bill that would have allowed the administration to borrow a minimum of $130 million to cover payroll for the next few months and pay off some other debts, including the $35 million loan floated last spring to cover July's payroll.
Central Labor Council President Luis "Tito" Morales told the V.I. Independent, "All those political hirees from the prior and present administrations better believe they have got to go home first or they have declared war on labor."
The governor was expected to call radio stations Monday morning to explain what steps will be taken now that his borrowing bill has been squashed. He was also expected to meet with his Cabinet to consider his options.
One possibility would be to take the bill back to the full 15-member Legislature, according to a Government House spokesperson. The bond measure died Friday on a 7-7 tie vote, with Sen. Allie-Allison Petrus absent.
Editor's note: See earlier stories for details on the bonding proposal and options now being considered to slash spending.
