Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin disclosed the new FY2009 Budget Summary during a media briefing December 2, 2008. She announced her decision to remove 222 personnel without notice.(Dec 2 Mayor's News Brief) Some personnel were relieved of duty beginning December 2 as the briefing began. With the traditional "Christmas" holiday upon us, the financial situation of the City of Atlanta gave no warning to personnel. 3 weeks before the Christmas Holiday 222 personnel would not be employed. PACE has begun the provisional battle with the City of Atlanta to find ways to protect employees in the future from such drastic measures. Please review the Mayor's News Briefing at: http://apps.atlantaga.gov/videoondemand/video/budget_update120208.wmv (Courtesy of City of Atlanta)

222 filled positions were eliminated from Recreation to Sanitation Departments. Public Works Departments will lose 2.5 million in personnel and reductions in services, which includes the Sanitation department funding reductions. The Recreation Department will lose 3 million from the General Fund, and Planning & Community Development Departments- were reduced by 1 million. The largest reduction in personnel and service was in the Support Departments, with 7.4 million in personnel and service reductions. The new Budget began December 2, 2008, the City of Atlanta Government will continue downsizing until December 12, 2008. As Mayor Franklin advised the City’s Worker’s and the Public of significant reductions in services and personnel, she also stated, possible additional cuts once the next quarter reports are completed.

Personnel of various departments were sent to the Civic Center December 2, 2008, not only to here the Mayors briefing, it was where the layoffs began. (Devin Phyllis Fox 5 News) The news media was kept at bay while the workers were given pink slips. The news media was invited to City Hall for the initial news break and then the Mayor moved behind closed doors of the Civic Center as the RIF action began (per Fox 5 news).

Most of City hall operations were affected. The furloughs began December 1, 2008 with an effective pay date of December 11, 2008. The layoffs are in Parks and Recreations, Police and Fire, Public Works and Support personnel areas. Fire Station 23 will close December 23, 2008.(Fox 5 News Report) Disclosure of the FY09 Updates is on the City of Atlanta Website, http://www.atlantaga.gov/media/nr_fy2009budgetupdate_120208.aspx

Both City Halls East and City Hall will be closed on Fridays to the public. City workers using the City of Atlanta Credit Union on Friday’s may have to use the main branch. Citizens will be able to pay water bills on Friday at the City Hall; however, all other departments will be closed. Employee’s working in the City Halls will be affected but it is unknown how the closing will effect their total working hours.

The following FY 2009 Budget Reduction Summary List, revealed by Mayor Franklin during her briefing, will show the actual funding and personnel reductions the City of Atlanta Government plan to implement. http://www.cbs46.com/download/2008/1202/18188855.pdf (CBS channel 46 news)

Across the United States many cities are foregoing services and personnel; these are the personnel who actually perform the jobs. PACE is working diligently to help Union Members, RIF Union Member’s should contact Chip Warren at the PACE Union Office to file an appeal at 404-521-9043.