Union Members not at the 2009 Budget Briefing- PACE on Wednesday May, 21, 2009 can review the address on the City Council website at http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/video.htm
Budget Hearings Part2 (click on Part2).
Several issues were discussed at the 2009 Budget Briefing. PACE presented issues important to City of Atlanta Employees and Union Members. Gina Pagnotta PACE President open the address by announcing how much PACE supports the City Council, and how PACE supports employees Rights, Benefits, Pension Plans and more. Ms. Pagnotta informed the council; PACE requested the City Administration to consider several other options instead of RIF Action, such as Furloughs and Early Retirements, reduction in pay and demotions. PACE believed these options would keep more personnel on the cities payroll. The Administration advised PACE Furloughs did not offer enough of a budget cut to be considered, and Early Retirements were not in the City Policies.
Councilman Maddox advised Ms. Pagnotta that on Monday May 19, 2008 he presented legislature to the Council to allow Early Retirements in all departments within the city of Atlanta. PACE was not aware of Councilman Maddox request prior to the briefing.
Additional issues addressed by PACE President include:
PACE questions why the City of Atlanta did not address RIF's action across the board as stipulated. Ms. Pagnotta held up a document issued to PACE by DHR, she stated it was inadequate. The document issued to PACE had 298 RIF personnel which did not accurately include all RIF actions. Of the 298 personnel on the document 259 personnel had salaries under $19,000 per year, and 39 had salaries above $21,000 per year. Ms. Pagnotta stated that some of the personnel above $21,000 have been rehired after review of Reduction-in-Force procedures. PACE asked where the larger salaried personnel were and why they were not on the document. PACE thoughts were, if several larger salaries were RIF-ED it may have saved more jobs for lower wage earners. Ms. Pagnotta stated, PACE will continue to help RIF Union members with funds, job placement assistance, and emergencies such as groceries.
In closing comments, PACE asked the council not to consider Combination Inspectors, because the city would authorize "Jacks of all trades and Masters of none" for inspectors. Still respecting other Combination Inspector's positions, however; she asked the council to consider future problems that may exist with combination inspector's performances. PACE asked the council not to consider outsourcing the cities Parking Meter Services. PACE has research information to see projections of revenue, and added that outsourcing would not necessarily save money for the city.
PACE also asked the council to dissolve the compensation committee; pass performances of the compensation committee were good, however; stability within the city is stagnant. Managers are in need of drastic changes and improvement, which makes the compensation committee no longer necessary. PACE suggested that the council review the unclassified work force. Some RIF's personnel in 2002 were rehired as unclassified employees and can not be represented by PACE in unclassified positions. Another important issue PACE address was the hiring of personnel above the cities entry level salaries. The council has to approve such salaries said Ms. Pagnotta, however; the documented information on how many personnel are on payroll above entry level salaries could not be located via council or administration by PACE Officials.
Last but not least, PACE address the cities position of accountability. If management provides inadequate information in budget reporting then these individuals should be held accountable for their actions, said Ms Pagnotta. If the budget preparations by any department had erroneous numbers and undocumented projections, the person providing the information should lose their positions as a substandard personnel performance.
Ms. Pagnotta informed the council supervisors need to make good decisions and be accountable for their action specifically when addressing employees. Employees should not be subjected to unprofessional behaviors; employees must maintain a morale that supports efficiency and effectiveness that promotes the City of Atlanta. The City Council thanked PACE for the address as they relinquished the floor to the Fire Fighters Union.
The End