[ICC Furlough of Employees 1 Day Each Week]

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the legality and propriety of the Interstate Commerce Commission's (ICC) decision to furlough employees for 2 days each pay period to deal with problems arising from a lower appropriation than ICC expected. GAO also addressed issues pertaining to ICC compliance with the Government in the Sunshine Act. GAO noted that: (1) ICC properly and legally decided to furlough employees for 2 days each pay period because it determined that course of action would be less costly and more effective than a major reduction in force; (2) it was concerned that, while ICC did not violate the apportionment provisions of the Antideficiency Act, it suspended the furloughs before it was certain that Congress would pass a supplemental appropriation to make such action possible; (3) ICC will be forced to take drastic action if Congress does not enact a supplemental appropriation; and (4) while ICC has taken steps to improve its compliance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, it still relies heavily on individual written voting, rather than open meetings of the full Commission, to conduct most business.