No layoffs in East St. Louis, but every employee gets pay cut

From The News-Democrat, March 17

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL – For now, there will be no layoffs in East St. Louis.

After a little more than three hours behind closed doors, part of which was with union leaders from the fire and police departments, city leaders emerged to attempt to pass a budget that only included a pay cut.

The vote, which came at 9:08 p.m., was two yes, two no and one present. If the budget had passed, it would have called for a 22.25 percent pay cut for all employees in the city. And, there would be no layoffs.

Since the amended budget failed, the city employees will continuing working off the budget that is in the hands of the Financial Advisory Authority. It calls for each employee to take two furlough days per pay period and a 7 percent pay cut.

One angry fireman, who declined to provide his name, blurted out that he thought he was being robbed by the city. He said he has worked the days that he has been furloughed for. Several other firemen in the audience chimed in that they've been robbed as well.

Parks, in an attempt to make sure nothing got out of hand, told the fireman that he would discuss any aspect of the budget with him at a later time outside City Hall chambers.

City leaders had indicated Monday that they were down to nearly crumbs when it came to their finances, and they were at the point where some huge layoffs had to be done. Their last ditch effort was to get the fire and police pension boards to allow the city to pay the 2010 pensions in 2011.

Asked whether bankruptcy was ever an option for the city, Parks declined to comment.

Bill Mehrtens, field representative for the Illinois Labor Council, said he was glad to hear no one was being laid off. But, he said there will still be some grievances filed on behalf of Local 126 (the police union) by week's end.

"We'll consult with our legal team, then get back to the membership and take whatever appropriate action is necessary," he said.

Mehrtens said the furloughs violate the union contract in his opinion.

"It's a layoff in so many words," he said. "Instead of laying off everyone, for all of their work, you're laying them off for one day a week. This takes them down to 32 hours, which is quite a cut in pay.

Parks said the budget that is in effect means that no one loses their job, and that's a good thing. He said the council thought the current budget gives the city the most public safety protection.

"I don't think we've robbed them. We passed a legal budget," Parks said.

Mosley said after the City Council panel talked to the city attorney: "We felt the budget we approved in January was the best way to go until we can find another avenue. We had so many young employees who would rather take the pay cut than be without a job. The Police Department didn't want to help us," Mosley said.

Asked whether the Fire Department has worked with the city, Mosley said yes.

"They didn't take any raises, no overtime. And, they worked straight time rather than time and a half," he said.