Lay-Offs

[confused]

The city of Berwyn is starting a big lay-off of public works and city hall employees. Letters were received to those who were being layed off. None of the mayor's new hires at public works were involved. Not sure if there are any new hires in city hall, but one employee was escorted out of city hall today.

[Berwyn Patsy]

What a shame, especially those with families, there should have been an easier answer/fix
to strengthen the budget besides lay-offs!

[MRS. NORTHSIDER]

Lay-offs are never a good thing but in these times a reminder of the state of our economy.  I've heard the city is not taking in the transfer tax revenue it used to because of the real estate market and foreclosures - I'm sure this is taking a toll considering our transfer tax is one of the highest in the metro Chicago area.

A reminder not to put all of your eggs into one basket.

[OakParkSpartan]

There was also city council's refusal to pass an increase in the parking sticker fee of $5, which would have generated $150,000 in revenue.

That was money which was budgeted for in the passed budget.

[time after time]

I personally don't think that the $150k that you keep repeatedly bringing up would have saved the day.

[OakParkSpartan]

Saved the day?  Nope.

But save a couple of people their jobs? Quite possibly.

[time after time]

Possibly. 

Another possibility could have been following the hiring freeze and not creating new positions.

[MRS. NORTHSIDER]

Saved the day?  Nope.

But save a couple of people their jobs? Quite possibly.

I agree - every little bit helps.  An extra 5 bucks per vehicle is not going to kill anyone (most people spend that on one meal at McDonalds) and it's revenue the city WILL collect.  

[Berwyn Patsy]

A closer look and change of the Health Insurance Policy of the city, would
have saved a whole lot of money.

[OakParkSpartan]

A closer look and change of the Health Insurance Policy of the city, would
have saved a whole lot of money.

Yes.  But have you ever gotten a straight story on why it can't be put to to anyone other than Bertucca?  Count DMC used to bring that up all the time.

I've heard explanations that sound reasonable until you stop and think about it.  Why isn't this put out to bid???

[MRS. NORTHSIDER]

A closer look and change of the Health Insurance Policy of the city, would
have saved a whole lot of money.

Yes.  But have you ever gotten a straight story on why it can't be put to to anyone other than Bertucca?  Count DMC used to bring that up all the time.

I've heard explanations that sound reasonable until you stop and think about it.  Why isn't this put out to bid???

Doesn't every other type of business or municipality get quotes from different providers for their health insurance in this day and age considering the type of money we are talking about?

Why would Berwyn be any different?

[renovatorbear]

Layoffs?  Unfortunate, but welcome to the real world.

[Bear]

A closer look and change of the Health Insurance Policy of the city, would
have saved a whole lot of money.

Yes.  But have you ever gotten a straight story on why it can't be put to to anyone other than Bertucca?  Count DMC used to bring that up all the time.

I've heard explanations that sound reasonable until you stop and think about it.  Why isn't this put out to bid???

Amazing eh? Especially when BCBS has municipal reps with VERY sharp pencils.

[Berwyn Patsy]

We have been over this subject (Health Insurance) a thousand times on this board.
In my humble opinion, it's simple.  No one in this city wants to give up a fabulous health Insurance
plan, call it being greedy, maybe some people are making mpney off of it, I don't know, but whatever
no one is about to give up this plan!  Lost cause it is.

[Bear]

Just got word lay-offs hit some guys with alot of years in at PWD.

[MRS. NORTHSIDER]

We have been over this subject (Health Insurance) a thousand times on this board.
In my humble opinion, it's simple.  No one in this city wants to give up a fabulous health Insurance
plan, call it being greedy, maybe some people are making mpney off of it, I don't know, but whatever
no one is about to give up this plan!  Lost cause it is.

Well at this point it's PW and city hall employees being laid off.  That could be just the beginning.  Let them start laying off police and fire department employees and see what the repurcussions will be then.  

Perhaps next time they vote on the insurance they'll find the atmosphere a little more amenable to negotatiation.

[Berwyn Patsy]

How were the lay-offs prioritized?  By job status or years on the job?

[OakParkSpartan]

I'd expect that Police and Fire are pretty safe.  Police are short staffed as it is, and fire is a matter of life or death (as are police).

[frank white]

As I followed and dug a little more into the insurance thing I came to this conclusion. The only people who do not want to give up the insurance are the ones making the money off of it. Bertucca and his pals whomever those may be. I found it strange that a guy with such strong ties to the last administration was let so easily back into this one when all other ties were being cut with everyone else. Follow the money people. He is a money maker no matter how you look at it, so is Metro. Remember when they were going to be first to go and they are still here, tighter than ever.

Remember there aren't negotiations for the insurance that was made clear by the previous posts. The Mayor and his people decide it, it gets eased through and then it's done. Never more than a small blip on the radar and it's a radar none of you are watching. Nine months left for him folks nine months.

Broadview during their crisis let go 5 police and I believe 5 Fire, no one is safe OPS.

[Berwyn Patsy]

You might be on to something there Mr. White!