Comments (0) | |

Wednesday, May. 13, 2009

Employees willing to "sacrifice" pay rather than undergo layoffs

City of Macon employees and others said Tuesday that Mayor Robert Reichert’s proposal to furlough workers and take away paid holidays in the next budget year is preferable to layoffs.

“Everybody’s got to take a dose of medicine,” said Johnny Wingers, director of the Emergency Management Agency. He said he was glad to make the sacrifice if it meant workers would not be let go. People around the world are being laid off, he said, but in Macon, “we got a job.”

Reichert’s 2010 budget proposal includes furloughs for all nonessential personnel — the 600-700 people who are not sworn police officers, firefighters or sanitation workers. They must take off half a day each pay period, the equivalent of a day per month. And every city employee would no longer be paid holidays. In all, Reichert estimates workers will lose 8 percent of their pay, and some may dip back below the poverty line.

Tom Tourand, who directs the city’s IT department, said its a situation people are going to have to live with. He said nobody is looking forward to the coming budget year, which begins July 1. But they all must carry the load together.

“The mayor and administration has worked hard to try and be as equitable as possible,” he said. “(Reichert) doesn’t relish having to present this type of budget. He feels it in his heart and soul.”

Paul Nelson, a former city worker who now volunteers for the Service Employees International Union which counts many dozens of city public works and parks and recreation employees among its members, said general employees “aren’t going to be happy” about the budget. But, Nelson said, they don’t have many options.

“There is no fighting it,” he said. “You’re just gonna have to accept it.”

Councilman Ed DeFore, the city’s longest-serving council member, said his “heart goes out to all of our city employees.” But he seemed resigned to the austere budget. He noted that the city of Atlanta is laying off employees, something the city of Macon has avoided thus far.

Speaking into the television camera used to broadcast City Council meetings on public television, DeFore told employees that “we appreciate everything you do.”

“But be thankful you’ve got a job,” he said.

Jose Mangual, who runs Music Source Promotions and Marketing in downtown Macon, was one of the only Macon residents who doesn’t work for the city or a media organization to attend Reichert’s presentation.

“I think he showed compassion on the city employees,” Mangual said. “He could have just said we’re going to do the layoffs and forget about everybody.”

“It wasn’t easy,” Mangual said. “You could hear it in his voice.”

Administration at the Macon Police Department said they will stress the need for further sacrifice to the officers and non-sworn police personnel of the city’s already cash-strapped department.

“As leaders, we have to influence people to accept it and continue to work at their maximum level,” said Deputy Chief Mike Carswell. “I think if put to them right, they will be OK.”

Chief Mike Burns said the proposal accounts for approximately 30 new police cruisers and continued overtime pay for officers.

“If the officers are needed, they’ll still be able to work,” he said. “They know times are tough. Police personnel are a different breed. We’re dedicated, we’re resilient. If the economy picks up, it won’t be 12 months. It will be sooner than that before everything gets back to normal.”

Staff writer Ashley Tusan Joyner contributed to this report.