County Workers Get Extra Holiday Clinton’s Action Makes Day After Christmas A Day Off, Too

When Spokane County employees give thanks on Thursday, they should remember President Clinton’s generosity to federal workers.

Clinton issued an executive order this week declaring the day after Christmas a federal holiday.

The move means Uncle Sam’s workers can stay home on Dec. 26. Thanks to a clause in most Spokane County contracts, county workers here will join them.

Union contracts say county employees don’t work on federal holidays. Those who must work, such as jailers, will earn holiday pay.

County commissioners say it wouldn’t be fair to treat nonunion employees differently, so they’ll stay home, too.

“Thank you, Mr. Clinton. You just cost Spokane County taxpayers a lot of money,” said irritated Commissioner Kate McCaslin.

In fairness to Clinton, presidents since Harry Truman have taken the same action whenever Christmas has fallen on a Thursday. The last time that happened was 1986 when Ronald Reagan, one of McCaslin’s political heroes, did the honors.

Unlike at the courthouse, the day after Christmas is a workday at City Hall. Union contracts with the city don’t have the same wording as those with the county, said Gary Persons, employee relations director.

Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a holiday at both City Hall and the courthouse.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Dan Hansen Staff writer Staff writer Kristina Johnson contributed to this report.