Post by admin on May 6, 2009 5:57:20 GMT -5
www.app.com/article/20090505/NEWS/905040370/1004/NEWS01/County+lays+off+100+workers
County lays off 100 workers
Cutback targets jobs in Monmouth County government
By Bob Jordan • FREEHOLD BUREAU • May 5, 2009
FREEHOLD — About 100 Monmouth County government employees lost their jobs Monday, the result of economy-driven layoffs that county officials said will create payroll savings of several million dollars.
The layoffs included clerical staff, public works, law enforcement and other departments. An exact amount of payroll savings was not available Monday.
One of the hardest hit units was the Sheriff's Department, where 14 officers were put out of work, two sergeants were demoted to lower ranks, and 38 corrections officers at the jail also were laid off.
Union leader Kurt J. Kroeper said he is hopeful the sheriff's officers, with ages mostly in the mid- to late-20s, will get back to work eventually with municipal police departments or other agencies, such as NJ Transit.
"Right now we are trying to help them find jobs," said Kroeper, president of PBA Local 314.
The county wanted unions to agree to wage freezes in exchange for job security for the rest of the year. The unionized Sheriff's Department officers did not agree to a freeze.
Up to 188 workers — the number who received layoff notices in March — had been at risk of job losses, but agreements on wage freezes were reached with several of the two-dozen bargaining units, county spokesman William K. Heine said.
"There are between 100 and 105 layoffs as of now. It's a bit complicated because we have to factor in people who have bumping rights under Civil Service rules," Heine said. "Some of those people are opting for retirement instead of activating their bumping rights, which affects the number of layoffs. Therefore, the number is somewhat fluid as of today."
Heine said the county continues to offer all normal services. There were approximately 3,500 employees before the cuts.
"With regard to the delivery of services, I have not heard of any issues with services," he said.
Union workers were asked at the start of the year to accept a wage freeze. All nonunion workers — about one-third of the work force — had their pay frozen immediately.
Wage freezes and layoffs were being counted on to provide for $7 million in payroll savings this year, officials said. The county has a $180 million payroll.
Many of the labor contracts contain 3.75 percent raises for workers, notwithstanding step increases for longevity.
Kroeper said three sheriff's officers are scheduled to retire by June but said there's been no word on whether any of the laid off officers will be recalled to fill those vacancies.
"Everything seems to be up in the air right now. We haven't received all the information," Kroeper said.
Bob Jordan: (732) 308-7755 or bjordan@app.com
County lays off 100 workers
Cutback targets jobs in Monmouth County government
By Bob Jordan • FREEHOLD BUREAU • May 5, 2009
FREEHOLD — About 100 Monmouth County government employees lost their jobs Monday, the result of economy-driven layoffs that county officials said will create payroll savings of several million dollars.
The layoffs included clerical staff, public works, law enforcement and other departments. An exact amount of payroll savings was not available Monday.
One of the hardest hit units was the Sheriff's Department, where 14 officers were put out of work, two sergeants were demoted to lower ranks, and 38 corrections officers at the jail also were laid off.
Union leader Kurt J. Kroeper said he is hopeful the sheriff's officers, with ages mostly in the mid- to late-20s, will get back to work eventually with municipal police departments or other agencies, such as NJ Transit.
"Right now we are trying to help them find jobs," said Kroeper, president of PBA Local 314.
The county wanted unions to agree to wage freezes in exchange for job security for the rest of the year. The unionized Sheriff's Department officers did not agree to a freeze.
Up to 188 workers — the number who received layoff notices in March — had been at risk of job losses, but agreements on wage freezes were reached with several of the two-dozen bargaining units, county spokesman William K. Heine said.
"There are between 100 and 105 layoffs as of now. It's a bit complicated because we have to factor in people who have bumping rights under Civil Service rules," Heine said. "Some of those people are opting for retirement instead of activating their bumping rights, which affects the number of layoffs. Therefore, the number is somewhat fluid as of today."
Heine said the county continues to offer all normal services. There were approximately 3,500 employees before the cuts.
"With regard to the delivery of services, I have not heard of any issues with services," he said.
Union workers were asked at the start of the year to accept a wage freeze. All nonunion workers — about one-third of the work force — had their pay frozen immediately.
Wage freezes and layoffs were being counted on to provide for $7 million in payroll savings this year, officials said. The county has a $180 million payroll.
Many of the labor contracts contain 3.75 percent raises for workers, notwithstanding step increases for longevity.
Kroeper said three sheriff's officers are scheduled to retire by June but said there's been no word on whether any of the laid off officers will be recalled to fill those vacancies.
"Everything seems to be up in the air right now. We haven't received all the information," Kroeper said.
Bob Jordan: (732) 308-7755 or bjordan@app.com