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One layoff notice rescinded
After sending out five layoff notices (one police officer, one library worker, a code enforcement/animal control officer, a library worker and a mechanic) early last week, Mayor Dean Bunkers sent a layoff notice to a second firefighter/EMS on Thursday. But, after negotiations with the union representing the firefighters, the second layoff notice has been rescinded, Bunkers announced today in a press release:
“The City of Ocean Shores gives a big ‘Thank You’ to the Ocean Shores Professional Firefighters/EMS Union Local 2109 for working with the City to ease the City’s financial strain. Our Firefighters/EMS has agreed to forgo $28,000 in Holiday Pay for 2009. Mayor Bunkers states that ‘this is a giant step towards easing the current budget shortfall and will rescind the most recent layoff notice.’ This leaves one outstanding layoff notice for the local firefighters. The City is in discussions concerning all layoff notices. By working together we can keep more employees working, and that is the City’s goal.”
The police department is doing more with less…that’s a fact. And, the police guys are not getting overtime for the extra amount of hours they work a year.
Another thing I haven’t heard anyting about is the last layoff earlier this year. The cops lost two (2) “FTE’s” in that one. This latest one makes three (3)
It might be interesting to get a public accounting of expenditures so far this year for overtime within the fire department and police departments. Let’s see who is doing what with less.
I heard the cops are working 2188 hours per year. They supposedly accepted a schedule that would reduce overtime costs significantly and has them work an additional 108 hours per year. That amounts to 1080 hours of time, most of which might be overtime if they hadn’t done it. It seems like a nice little donation to the city coffers. I understand the Mayor has been told about this but doesn’t seem to care. What gives? If this is true, why hasn’t this been mentioned by the city or the union?
I wonder what FLSA would say about donating time to save overtime?
i guess the negotiator for local 2109 stands heads above the teamsters guy in knowing what it takes for a mutually beneficial out come. good job!