Furlough days approved

Aldermen lash out against Daley's budget department

07/01/2009 10:00 PM

By MICAH MAIDENBERG
Editor

3 Comments - Add Your Comment


"The city is unwilling to bite the bullet and do the hard work. We're taking it out on our employees."
Pat Dowell
3rd Ward Alderman

The city council voted 42-6 Tuesday to require non-union city workers to take six unpaid furlough days in 2009 and curtail pay for those same workers on holidays, saving the city $14 million. Non-union salaried and hourly staffers who earn $35,000 and above are subject to the new rules.

The city is facing a $300 million budget deficit this year and the numbers for next year look even worse, many aldermen said during floor debate, forcing them to furlough employees as a cost-saving measure.

“We have to get this year’s budget under control,” said Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), who voted in favor of the ordinance. “One concept we need to get used to is cutting this budget to the bone.”

South Loop aldermen Robert Fioretti (2nd) and Pat Dowell (3rd) were among the six aldermen who voted against the bill.

“It’s time we stop nickel and diming the employees of this city and start looking at ways we can save this money,” Dowell said.

“The city is unwilling to bite the bullet and do the hard work. We’re taking it out on our employees.”

Dowell recommended the city use money from its rainy day fund to keep staff working and services flowing.

“My ward cannot suffer any more lack of services from Streets and Sanitation and CDOT,” she said.

Several of those casting their aye votes couched their support in terms of pressuring the city’s unionized workforce to agree to a similar furlough plan for their members.

Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) said leaders of city unions and senior union members were hurting the interests of members without as much seniority, who could be laid off pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations. Nine of 13 Streets and Sanitation workers are facing that possibility in his ward, Burnett said.

“This is something we have to do so the unions can get the point,” he said.

“We just need them to give,” said Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), of organized labor. “If every employee took a furlough we’d save $100 million. I want the unions to know we’re not doing this as just something to do.”

With deficits looming and more difficult decisions on the horizon, several aldermen critiqued the quality of information they get about the city’s budget, describing the data as incomplete and accusing budget staffers of withholding information.

Lacking a complete picture of the city’s finances makes voting on budgetary matters difficult, several said.

Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) referenced the Department of Budget and Management’s “evasion” and “lack of preparation” and said departmental staffers failed to provide information about the furlough proposal aldermen had asked for.

Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) said budget staffers had shown an “unwillingness to provide information.”

“We need to start creating our own numbers,” she said. “I do not trust the budget department.”

Ald. Manny Flores (1st) even lashed out against corporation counsel Mara Georges during his statement.

“We can’t have a partnership where there is no trust,” he said, his voice rising.

The sharp statements were rebuked by Ald. Carrie Austin (34th).

“I think it’s unfair for you to sit here and slander a department that has given you information, as much as you asked for!” she yelled into her mic.

Alds. Moore (49th), Preckwinkle, Hairston and Jackson (7th) also voted against the ordinance.

Contact: mmaidenberg@chicagojournal.com


3 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Daniel
Posted: 08/20/2009 10:21 PM

Welcome to the real world Alderman Dowell. Private companies across the board are cutting people, and at a minimum, giving zero raises. So come out and say have the union employees take a cut and take a stance.


By unfair from near west side
Posted: 08/19/2009 7:54 AM

I agree with the Alderman and would have voted no as well. Why should the non-union workers take the hit and the union workers still retain their benefits. Is that fair? I think the cuts should be across the board, just like any corporation. Have you considered how much money would be saved if the cuts were done this way, "mad in the 2nd"? The non-union workers should be treated in the same manner with the same respect as union workers.


By mad in the 2nd from south loop
Posted: 08/17/2009 8:44 PM

So, Fioretti voted AGAINST furlough days for high paid city managers??? this will save the city $14 million. Where does Flip-Flip Bob propose to come up with the savings?