California state workers' right to sleep late, barbecue hamburgers, celebrate or do whatever else their hearts desire on 14 paid holidays per year is under fire in the state Assembly.

Assemblyman John Campbell wants to change an unspoken tradition that has survived even the worst budget crises in years past: Paid holidays are added, but never subtracted.

Campbell's new bill, AB 2460, would eliminate two paid holidays for the state's 200,000 employees.

"I think the vast majority of the public is going to see this as an issue of fairness and budget accountability," said Campbell, R-Irvine.

The measure would make state government more like private industry, improve service to the public, and save $20 million in overtime pay for staffing essential health and safety services when other state offices are closed, Campbell said.

But Jim Hard, speaking for the California State Employees Association, called Campbell's proposal "political grandstanding."

"We don't think this is a serious attempt to deal with the budget crisis; we think it's a cheap shot," said Hard, adding that the savings wouldn't even amount to a "blip on the state's radar screen."

Campbell's bill takes aim at the 12 holidays specified in state law: Christmas, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.

Two of the holidays would not be observed by the state's employees each year, with departments choosing which ones.

State workers receive an additional two days of paid holidays not targeted by AB 2460: the day after Thanksgiving - a substitute for Admission Day - and one day of personal leave annually.

The 14 holidays are in addition to other paid entitlements. California's most senior supervisory workers accrue up to six weeks of "annual leave," which combines vacation and sick leave. Novice workers accrue two weeks of vacation and 2.4 weeks of sick leave their first year.

Passage of AB 2460 likely would spark a legal dispute over whether holidays can be cut by the Legislature alone, without collective bargaining.

State law gives precedence to union contracts in such disputes, unless money is not appropriated by the state budget.

"I think we can cut them by statute," Campbell said of paid holidays. "If we can't, we'll effect what we can."

Passage of AB 2460 would be significant either way, he said, because it would give clear legislative direction for next year's contract talks.

"(Unions) look greedy if they're getting holidays not in state law," Campbell said.

Under AB 2460, the number of state holidays would be capped.

Lawmakers could approve additional holidays - perhaps a Ronald Reagan Day or Sept. 11 Remembrance - but state departments could use them only as options in reaching the cap, Campbell said.

"The Department of Motor Vehicles could pick different holidays than the Highway Patrol," Campbell said of his smorgasbord plan.

State workers' 14 holidays exceed the number recognized by most states or private employers.

The National Conference of State Legislatures said the average among states nationwide is 11.2 holidays, with a high of 15 and a low of eight.

Jeanne Cain, a California Chamber of Commerce senior vice president, estimated that most private employers allow 10 to 12 holidays.

Thirteen percent of full-time workers receive no paid holidays, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey in 2000.

State workers interviewed near the East End Project in downtown Sacramento had mixed feelings about AB 2460.

"I'd rather they cut holidays than cut our workdays or lay us off," said John Forsblad, 49. "I know there are things that have to be done because of the state's budgetary problems."

But Johnnie Perry, 43, said the state should be looking to trim waste, not holidays.

"It's an awful idea," she said of AB 2460.

Kate Hancock, 38, said she wants to see the bottom line before drawing any conclusions.

"Would we be compensated in other ways? Would it save jobs? I really can't say if it's a good idea or not, because sometimes I don't understand the bigger picture," she said.

Hard, who is also president of Local 1000 of Service Employees International Union, said state workers have done their share to help ease California's fiscal crisis. They've forgone pay increases and are paying more of their health care tab, he said.

"I think it's easier to attack state employees than to attack the budget crisis in any substantive way," Hard said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on AB 2460.

Campbell concedes his bill could face tough sledding in the Democratic-controlled Assembly.

Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, said the measure is unfair and inappropriate, particularly when the state is trimming its workforce and demanding more from employees who survive the cuts.

"How bad do you want to make morale?" she asked. "I just think it's a very insensitive view of what the hard-working people in this state put out for our constituents and the citizens."

But Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia, applauded AB 2460.

"If you're going to be a fiscal conservative and want to reform to save some money, let's look everywhere we can," he said. "Absolutely. I don't see a problem with this bill."

CALIFORNIA STATE HOLIDAYS:
State workers are entitled to the following paid holidays each year:
* New Year's Day
* Martin Luther King Jr. Day
* Lincoln's Birthday
* Washington's Birthday
* Cesar Chavez Day
* Memorial Day
* Independence Day
* Labor Day
* Columbus Day
* Veterans Day
* Thanksgiving
* Day after Thanksgiving
* Christmas
* Personal leave day

Total paid holidays: 14

Average in other states: 11.2

Most holidays: Texas (15)

Fewest holidays: Louisiana (8/9)*

*Louisiana celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day biennally (every other year).

SOURCE: California Department of Personnel Administration and the National Conference of State Legislatures