Furlough plans vary widely at gov't agencies Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 7:22 am, Friday, March 8, 2013 Government agencies vary widely in how they are dealing with $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts that went into effect last week, according to labor unions that represent federal workers. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 600,000 federal workers, is trying to keep track of all the different plans, as their members face the prospect of lost wages and growing frustration about getting their work done. Unions are also trying to persuade agencies to make other cuts that don't affect worker pay, such as cutting government contracts with private companies. Sen.