At the end of the day Township officials are only saying ‘good bye? to four employees.
The board voted unanimously at the Feb. 16 regular board meeting to payout a gross of $6,250.40 in accrual pay. The four positions included custodial staff, Department of Public Works laborer, parks laborer, and a Park’s clerk.
However, local AFCSME President Craig Richardson to township board members stating he differed in the ‘reduction of workforce.?
‘Since July of last year the AFSCME Union has been depleted by seven employees,? he said. ‘Three were other means other than layoffs.?
One resigned, one was permanent disability, and one passed away. Richardson agreed that ‘technically yes four were laid off from the township,? but of the other three positions he pointed out, two were never refilled and one of them was combined with another position in the township.
‘That’s been over a $300,000 savings to the township in just wages, that’s the discrepancy we’re talking about,? he said. ‘When you include in benefits and everything it’s probably closer to $350,000 to $370,000.?
Richardson also said he petitioned for the four employee’s healthcare to be extended to the end of the month, which the board granted.
Supervisor Dave Wagner said the board had to make ‘some hard decisions when it came to personnel.?
‘It was obvious we did have to make some personnel cuts, no doubt about that,? he said. ‘I have voted against some other issues where we have made expenditures that I believe we shouldn’t of and possibly could have saved one or two people.?
Wagner said the board is currently looking at the 2011 budget trying to get a ‘feel of where they stand,? so they don’t have a further reduction in workforce.
‘There is such a ripple effect when you do this because you’re taking the people out of the workforce and putting them on unemployment. They don’t have the money to spend anymore, so all the surrounding businesses suffer,? he said. ‘You need to really take all of this into consideration and really look and see if you’ve done everything internally that you possibly can do before you reduce your workforce.?
Richardson said it’s been a hard time.
‘This has been my worst month ever, working anywhere in my life, and definitely here at the township,? he said. ‘It’s tough to see fellow employees lose their jobs, others take pay cuts. It’s a very unfortunate situation that has caught up with us here.?
Human Resource Director Carol Gabris did not return call seeking comment.