Next time someone says public employees aren’t doing their part to fix state and local budget messes, add this to the wage freezes, layoffs and unfilled positions that AFSCME members are dealing with every day: More than 3,500 Hennepin County employees have signed up for voluntary leave — without pay — to help erase the county’s $20 million budget hole. This will save the county $3.4 million. Voluntary leave was an idea AFSCME locals persuaded the County Board to try as an alternative to mandatory, unpaid furloughs for all county workers. It’s an opportunity for members who can afford unpaid time off to help co-workers who can’t afford it. If you work for Hennepin County, you have until June 26 to mitigate layoffs by requesting unpaid leave. Here’s how.