Whistle blower investigation from local news Channel 46 reported Public Works Trash Collectors are not performing their jobs as paid. (Wendy Saltzman Channel 46 News). One individual, whose identity was shielded on the local news Channel 46, wore the uniform of the Public Works Department and had chosen to publicly give his perception to the Local News before bringing his concerns up the chain of command to the Department’s Commissioner or use the Ethics Hotline. PACE does not question his motives, but we do question his judgment.  

PACE wants all Union Members to be informed and aware that work performances and activities may be scrutinized from internal and external sources. If you have a problem and or see a problem that may seem unethical, please utilize your options to report them to your department head and/or ethics hotline.  If you feel this action has not been effective, then contact your Local PACE Steward or your PACE President.  We will ensure your confidentiality will be maintained as we speak on your behalf. 

Atlanta City Council: 2008 Courtesy of Fox 5 NewsThe Atlanta City Council stopped regular proceedings as Mayor Franklin and City Council members communicated during the open session on September 2, 2008. Mayor Franklin advised the council she came to listen to the session and her intent was not to speak, however; she believed that communication issues between her and the City Council should be addressed now. She expressed some vital concerns to City Council members, also stating "if the council had questions for her administration they should receive answers, as well the communication should be improved amongst the City Council and the Mayor's Administration."

Mayor Franklin addressed the council before the vote to override her veto for reopening Fire Station 7 on September 2.  Mayor Franklin informed the Council, a press conference was held by some Council members before she was contacted about the decisions by the council to reopen Fire Station 7.  Mayor Franklin stated she received only one call from Council Woman Winslow about the Councils decision. 

Several debates between council members occurred during the Open City Council Session that lasted for more than an hour before the final vote was cast; however, the General Funds Budget for FY09 was amended by the Atlanta City Council to transfer 1.1M to the Fire Department, Fire and Rescue Budget for the reopening of Fire Station 7 on August 18, 2008. Ordinance 08-O-1540 Adopted by council votes with 13 YEAS, and 1 NAY, and One Absent member. What does this mean for City of Atlanta Departments and employees?

Several transfers from FY09 Budget appropriated funds were made to help reopen Fire Station 7. Fund 1001, appropriated funds transfered amounts are as follows:

 

Fire Station 7 It is the obligation and duty of PACE to keep members informed of decisions that may increase or decrease position in the City of Atlanta Government. PACE would like member to know what is currently on the agenda of the City Council.

 

City Ordinance 08-O-1540 is on the agenda as an ordinance by council members, as substituted by the finance/executive committee, to reopen Fire Station 7; by transferring appropriations from various consulting supply, travel and other non-personnel accounts to the Department of Fire and Rescue budget. The 2.5% cut in the General Fund budget was set to prevent proposed property tax increase, which cause additional layoffs and non-personnel budget restraints by the City Council. The City Council stated the Mayor added an additional 7M reduction beyond the 14.5M resulting from the 2.5% reduction of 165 positions, including 72 filled positions, and ordered the closing and decommissioning of Atlanta Fire Station No. 7.

 

Mayor Franklin held a news conference July 16, 2008 to indicate the most recent job layoff’s and budget cuts. Although she did not recommend the 2.5% cuts, she added, her advice from the former CFO Janice Davis recommended reduction of more than the 14.6 million needed. The cuts will be 21.6 million from the General Fund to help expected short falls in Revenue during FY09 per Mayor Franklin.

Mayor Franklin will remove 190 positions, every department funded by the general fund will be impacted she said, however Watershed, Solid Waste, and Aviation funds will not be apart of the cuts as well Park Improvements, due to having their own funding the Mayor announced. The bottom line is 165 positions will be cut- 72 filled position and 93 vacant positions.

These are the projected layoffs and non-personnel budget reduction. (See Below)

 

While PACE continues to help protect your rights during your employment with the City of Atlanta, protection against unwanted harassments and unfair labor practices will require quality Union representation and legal assistance for problems you may have. Some may feel that they can not afford the cost to be in the union but in today’s City environment you can’t afford not to have protection in the your work place. Remember, for about 50 pennies a day, you as a member have representation for your rights as employees, litigation for better wages, better work environments, and better pensions. Don’t be left without any defense. If you are not a member, join PACE Union now, where our power and protection becomes an invaluable tool to have on your side. We are here to help make working in the City of Atlanta a better place.

 

Some members have enjoyed the special benefits of being a PACE Member, while others have not yet explored the additional benefits offered to members.

Here are additional benefits offered to you as a valued union member.

The Atlanta City Council members voted on Friday June 27, 2008, to have the mayor cut about 14.6 million from the budget for FY09  effective July 1, 2008 according to Eric Stirgus (Atlanta Journal Constitution July 01, 2008)

Department directors have already begun to put their heads together with their staff to work on proposals to cut their budget (AJC 2008) as recommended by Mayor Franklin in her letter addressed to Cabinet Members. Even though job cuts seem imminent, Councilman Howard Shook, Chairman of the Council’s Finance/Executive Committee said, there are more than 300 unfilled positions with about $13 million set aside to pay those employees (AJC 2008) that can be eliminated. Councilman Ceasar Mitchell said, “I think there are a lot of places to cut before you start cutting personnel” per Eric Stirgus. AJC.com (AJC news story)

All City of Atlanta employees have concerns about the balancing of the city budget. PACE believes in keeping union members abreast of all City Council Meetings for Budget inputs. Major Franklin wrote a recent statement on how the City Council’s decision will affect both employee’s of the City of Atlanta and the Residence of the City of Atlanta. Mayor Franklin’s Statement on recent Atlanta City Council Budget Action includes the following:

 

“To balance the budget on the backs of employees is irresponsible, when they were offered an alternative of a modest tax increase in an effort to preserve gains in public safety and to maintain core services. The Council had the authority to do this but it is an unwise business decision and represents one of the worst public policy decisions I have seen in my 20 year professional career and it will have negative ramifications for the quality of life for the people of Atlanta.”

Mayor Franklin Statement

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.

 

PACE President met with Chief Operations Officer (COO) Greg Giornelli on Friday May 16^th to discuss several issues. Mr. Giornelli mentioned that the City of Atlanta was reviewing several initiatives to improve revenue while reducing operational costs. One of the initiatives that the Administration will be looking into is the possible privatization of the Parking Meter Services. Mr. Giornelli also mentioned in the meeting that five proposals (RFP) have been presented for the plans of outsourcing the parking meter services. According to Mr. Giornelli, the Administration wants to collect revenue at a reduced cost to the city. Of the five proposals from outside vendors, the city will review which company can collect the same revenue as the city has in the past, but at the least or lesser cost to the city.