Council members approved a resolution Sept. 22 authorizing Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson to sign a memorandum of understanding between the city and its union-represented workers.

The city is asking employees to implement a furlough program in which union members agree to collectively take six days off, without pay, because of a significant budget shortfall. The furlough period would begin Oct. 1 and end Dec. 31.

Johnson said union members have always been “forward and active” in trying to make things work.

Human Resource Director Jenna Young said the agreement is similar to one for nonunion employees.

Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman, who also chairs the Finance Committee, said the group came to conclusion that the city needed to reduce costs.

“I appreciated the union helping us out with this,” Swatman said. “It is the union’s choice and it’s a very smart choice.”

He added the city has to match the revenue with its expenditures.

“If unions choose not to allow the administration to use all the tools available to them, they will have to take other measures should the revenues continue to shortfall,” Swatman warned.

Furloughed employees will be credited hour for four with paid leave defined as “furlough replacement time” in a separate furlough leave bank, according to the memorandum.

Employees can volunteer for additional furlough time, if it does not impact city functions.

The union voted Thursday to approve the city’s furlough program.