Daley May Meet With City Unions
AP File Photo
Service Employees International Union Local 73, was recently informed that nearly 300 civilian public-safety employees will be cut from the city payroll effective July 1 if a compromise can't be reached. The layoffs would include 186 crossing guards, 67 detention aides and 40 traffic control aides, who will be replaced by Chicago police officers. "The police officers make a lot more per hour than the regular Crossing Guards, Detention Aides and Traffic Control Aides." SEIU Local 73 Secretary-Treasurer Matt Brandon said in a press release. "Anytime you're doing something like that, how do you justify it financially?" Second City Cop chimes in as well, noting that they "gained 100 officers from the inside spots, only to lose 300 to crossings, lockups and traffic patrol."
City worker unions have rejected concessions without promises to prevent layoffs in the future. "Instead of layoffs, they should use some of the $1.2 billion rainy day fund to offset” the budget shortfall, says SEIU. Second City Cop isn't feeling too good about the city's budget projections, either. "City Hall has already admitted their revenue "projections" were more than a little "optimistic." We pointed out that their budget was based on fantasy numbers from the word 'go.' Daley's 'rainy day fund' and supposedly balanced budget for the next three years is about to go boom."
Filed in News and tagged city hall layoffs, economic downturn, public safety, TIFs
I hate to say it as I don't like to see anybody lose their job, but layoffs seem the better solution to me. Few readers of this site would disagree that city government is bloated. Unpaid furloughs would do nothing to solve that problem in the long term. It seems that cutting 300 positions is a permanent step in the right direction ... one that should be the first of many.
"City worker unions have rejected concessions without promises to prevent layoffs in the future. "
I would love a promise not be laid-off (or take more pay cuts or deal with higher health insurance costs and significantly lower retirement-plan contributions). I am sure the dozens of people I know who've lost their jobs in the last 18 months would love that, too.
Unfortunately, I live in the real world, not the Chicago fantasy land where blue-collar workers earn a decent pay and benefit package--and apparently can loaf when they want to without being fired--and still bitch about the unfairness of it all, even as the city goes broke.
Gee, instead of going to college, I guess I should have learned how to man a garbage truck, I guess. I could even take naps in the middle of the day. Maybe even drink beer.
I don't say it often, but Daley seems right on this one. Way to go, local organized labor: You've put me in Daley's camp. Yes, he's a terrible manager, and will spare the connected the brunt of the pain, but the unions--who, remember, will come out pretty good with the Olympics--will have to learn to eat more shit sandwiches like the rest of us until the economy improves.
why shouldn't blue collar workers earn a decent living an receive decent benefits? you are conflating lazy workers with blue collar workers - there are just as many lazy white collar workers in city government. many blue collar workers break their backs providing services that we need, and most blue collar jobs require skills and knowledge.
if everyone went to college and only had white collar jobs, who would pick up our garbage, pave our roads, and work in our sewers? blue collar workers who tend to do more manual labor at jobs that people like you find unappealing or beneath you create an environment that allows white collar workers to do their jobs. how can someone have time to be a lawyer if they have to haul their own garbage to the dump, install their own plumbing, and clean the office bathroom?
oh, and i would imagine that if your employer expected you to go without three weeks of pay, while another class of worker still collected paychecks, you would be miffed too.
"why shouldn't blue collar workers earn a decent living an receive decent benefits? "
Show me exactly where I said that or implied that. I'll wait ...
I merely think that union workers for Chicago earn decent pay and benefits, and shouldn't overreach or lose even more public support by demanding some lay-off protection that no one else in this city really gets.
"if everyone went to college and only had white collar jobs, who would pick up our garbage, pave our roads, and work in our sewers? blue collar workers who tend to do more manual labor at jobs that people like you find unappealing or beneath you create an environment that allows white collar workers to do their jobs. how can someone have time to be a lawyer if they have to haul their own garbage to the dump, install their own plumbing, and clean the office bathroom?"
What argument of mine are you responding to? I am not arguing against the dignity or vital need for such work, only the position the local unions are taking at this time.
"oh, and i would imagine that if your employer expected you to go without three weeks of pay, while another class of worker still collected paychecks, you would be miffed too."
Yes, I was. And I ate the shit sandwich. What else was I going to do? Unions have to careful of overreach. There is more to life than merely protecting your own.
"Unfortunately, I live in the real world, not the Chicago fantasy land where blue-collar workers earn a decent pay and benefit package--and apparently can loaf when they want to without being fired--and still bitch about the unfairness of it all, even as the city goes broke."
Your tone in your response to me is completely different than the tone of your original post. You imply that blue collar workers deserve benefits and decent pay in "fantasy land."
"Gee, instead of going to college, I guess I should have learned how to man a garbage truck, I guess. I could even take naps in the middle of the day. Maybe even drink beer."
That doesn't exactly convey your belief in the dignity or vital need of blue collar work.
Yes, there is more to life than protecting your own. There is also more to this city budget crisis than blue collar and union workers. City government is bloated in many many ways. I just think all these ways should be explored equally. Too often blue collar workers and union workers are blamed for problems that are caused by a variety of factors.
No, the fantasy was that unions, whose members generally earn decent pay and benefits, would want protections that few other workers in this city get.
"That doesn't exactly convey your belief in the dignity or vital need of blue collar work."
Sorry, but I have no respect for those workers who abuse their good positions. Next time I'll make sure to sign the Internationale when I think or type about blue-collar workers.
"here is also more to this city budget crisis than blue collar and union workers. City government is bloated in many many ways. I just think all these ways should be explored equally. Too often blue collar workers and union workers are blamed for problems that are caused by a variety of factors."
Great points. You can check my comment history if you are bored to see my thoughts about Daley's management of Chicago and its budget. That said, just because Daley is wrong about many, many things does mean the unions are right in this matter.
I am with you BlueFairlane. Also, it seems like this might be a good way to avoid really cutting into any meat. Can't speak for Detention Aides, but 9 times out of 10 when I encounter Crossing Guards or Traffic Control Aides, they are not providing any value. In a lot of cases they are actually making things worse.
It is one thing when a traffic light is out and you need someone to help, but another when you see someone waving a wand telling people to do exactly what the lights say.
"Can't speak for Detention Aides, but 9 times out of 10 when I encounter Crossing Guards or Traffic Control Aides, they are not providing any value. In a lot of cases they are actually making things worse."
Just anecdotal, but I'm walking in the Loop nearly every day, and when it is cold, I can count on seeing at least 8-10 of these so-called workers huddled for warmth in various stores and lobbies, apparently doing nothing. I guess one might argue they are on a break or lunch hour something, but man, those breaks sure last a long time, and they never seem to be eating anything. Fire 'em.
I think the real issue is Daley's spending millions on inside and outside PR. My beef with unions is the ones that are the most bloated are the ones that discriminate the most against women and people of color. These are also the ones that get paid the most as opposed to CPS teachers aids and janitors who are mostly Black and brown. Don't let that evil creature pull the wool over your eyes.
From a Machine standpoint, wtf is Daley doing? These are his voters.