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

Pace Attorneys will address the Civil Service Board on Monday June 16, 2008 at 9:00 am, on the behalf of all Parking Meter Officials, to include Reduction- In- Force (RIF) Parking Meter personnel. PACE legal team will address the city's Ordinance Sec. 114-384. (Ord. No. 2007-22(07-O-2700), § 1, 3-27-07) This ordinance emphasizes on privatizing the Parking Meter Service by legislative action from the City Council. The argument from PACE Attorney's will be the RIF’s of personnel in order to use private vendors without legislation from the City Council. Pace Attorney’s goal is to win this case at the Civil Service Meeting, and reverse the city's decision , by returning workers to the City of Atlanta payroll with full back wages.

http://seiu.org/media/pressreleases.cfm?pr_id=1675

PACE Arrives in San Juan Puerto Rico

Per New Release from SEIU- Thousands of workers from around the world arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico for SEIU's first "Green" Convention. PACE President Gina Pagnotta is one of nearly 2000 delegates from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to Vote on "Justice for All" Platform Proposals to Improve Workplaces and Communities.

Arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico the Members were met with a Banner that read:

"Justice for All" "Justicia para Todas"

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.

Mayor Franklin budget letter to President Lisa Boarders and Member Council on May 5, 2008 can be viewed in its entirety at: Mayor Franklin's Letter FY2009

Mayor Franklin made several projections in her letter concerning balancing the budget, she includes what departments were downsized and commented on movement of more personnel. The Letter indicated that her budget proposed eliminating 788 positions (removed) from the cities budget; 441 reductions in force (RIF) with 347 vacant positions abolished. She wrote of transferring 616 positions out of the general funds of which 383 are considered in the Solid Waste Service positions and 166 in the newly created E911

Picture courtesy of John Spink / AJC

"It's like a sore and you are poking at the sore," said Gina Pagnotta (center), a 9-year Public Works employee who is president of the 357-employee Professional Association of City Employees (PACE). Pagnotta listens to Parking Meter Enforcement Officers outside the budget meeting per Atlanta Journal Constitution.

PACE had a Union Member meeting April 29th to inform workers of pending LayOff notifications. PACE was available at City Hall May 1, 2008 when notifications were enforced; currently PACE is assisting Union Members with Appeals for the RIF action imposed by the City Of Atlanta. Members are urged to use the Appeal Process to insure that the RIF's action was performed in accordance to Applicable codes and by-laws. Union members Riffed has 5 days to use the appeal process after receiving notice. PACE Union will provide the Legal Representation for Laid-Off union members. Members must contact the PACE Union Office or union President, Gina Pagnotta before the deadline.