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Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman talked to reporters today about his plan to fire most city employees and rehire them with the understanding they would agree to a reduced work week for less pay. Goodman has presented it as an alternative to the tentative budget plan approved by the city council Wednesday, which includes laying off 146 city employees to make up for a $70 million budget shortfall.
By Dave Toplikar (contact) 
Thursday, March 11, 2010 | 1:05 p.m.
Sun Coverage
- Council advances budget that would leave 146 jobless (3-10-2010)
- Las Vegas mayor: Salary cuts needed to save 171 city jobs (3-4-2010)
- Goodman: City could save 171 jobs if unions agree to pay cut (2-25-2010)
- Las Vegas Mayor: No agreement yet on city employee contracts (1-28-2010)
- Las Vegas mayor calls on city employee unions to reopen contracts (1-7-2010)
- Las Vegas City Council OKs 8 percent salary, benefits cut (1-6-2010)
- Mayor: Morale not good among LV city employees (11-19-2010)
- Las Vegas to lay off 19 city employees as part of budget cuts (11-18-2009)
- Las Vegas officials seek public input on budget cuts (11-6-2009)
Mayor Oscar Goodman said today he's been getting support for his idea of firing all Las Vegas city employees, then rehiring the ones who agree to work a shorter work week.
Goodman's proposal is designed to save the jobs of 146 employees who would be laid off in June under a tentative budget approved by the city council on Wednesday.
"Every phone call I've received so far — and there have been plenty of them — have been supportive of my position," Goodman told reporters during his weekly press conference at City Hall. "All I know is people in the elevator are saying, 'Go for it, mayor.'"
"I'm serious about this. If it's legal, it's going to take place," he said.
But the mayor says the door is still open for unions to agree to the city council's preferred alternative to deal with a $70 million budget shortfall -- across-the-board salary concessions that include an 8 percent pay cut during each of the next two years.
Although several union leaders called him a bully for proposing the firing/rehiring plan, "I don't take anything personally," Goodman said.
The mayor proposed the termination plan during Wednesday's Las Vegas City Council budget hearing, asking City Attorney Brad Jerbic to see if it was legal to do so.
So far, Goodman said he didn't have an answer if the firing/rehiring plan was legal. However, something similar is being tried in San Francisco, he said.
"I was sort of waiting to see if there was going to be a challenge to Mayor Gavin Newsom's letter that he sent out to his employees in San Francisco. As of early this week I was told there has not been a legal challenge to it yet," Goodman said.
"The same kind of guffaws greeted him. I'm trying to take a different route. I want to get the legal opinion before I do it," Goodman said. "I don't want to cause anybody any grief, aggravation or expense until I feel I'm doing the right thing legally."
The city council approved a tentative 2011 fiscal year budget Wednesday that makes the 146 layoffs, reduces some programs, raises some fees and uses $38 million in reserves to deal with the $70 million shortfall. The council will approve a final budget in May.
Under Goodman's proposal, most employees would be given a 60-day notice they would be fired. Public safety employees, such as firefighters or police officers, would be exempt, he said.
But everyone else's job would be up for grabs — although those currently holding those positions would be given first consideration, he said. To be rehired, they would have to agree to a shorter work week and receive a decrease in pay, he said.
Reducing their 40-hour week to 37.5 hours would save 6.25 percent and reducing it to 36 hours would create a savings of 10 percent, he said.
Goodman said he was still waiting for the employee unions to agree to the city's 8 percent salary cuts.
"Right now, I'm seeing how they're responding to our all-or-nothing approach," he said. "I don't want to back off of what we were told was necessary to have a balanced budget, to keep all the city employees employed and to provide all the city services that are being provided. At this point in time, it's all or nothing. But I'm not going to be hard-headed. I'm not going to be unreasonable. I believe the council will ultimately do the right thing."
Goodman said he spoke to one union representative today and planned to meet with another this afternoon.
"My door is always open," he said. "I don't take this personally. If they say I'm a bully, then that's their prerogative ... I'm open for discussion."
Goodman pointed out that he was term-limited and wasn't out for any political gain by his proposal.
"There may be some folks who disagree with that because I'm a little bit of a character, but I'm trying to do what I do in the best interests of the city," he said.
Several union leaders told the council they were upset that they had been trying to discuss other options with the city and had made some concessions.
Goodman said there might have been some discussions, but he had not seen any direct offers that would save the same amount of money as the plan involving the 8 percent salary cut.
"Right now, it is my only offer," he said. "The ball is in their court. If I can't do what I've asked the city attorney to research then I have to change my position."
The mayor said he didn't think the firing/rehiring plan was draconian as an alternative to the unions' refusal to go along with the city manager's plan that includes the 8 percent cuts in lieu of layoffs and cuts in city services.
"I believe it is the right thing. I believe in altruism. I believe in brotherhood. I believe that the city employees should feel that they're part of a community and that they should be watching out for one another," Goodman said. "That's what we've been taught in the Judeo-Christian ethic and if they don't want to do it, then I'll try to do it for them."
The mayor said he has received a plan presented Wednesday by the Las Vegas City Employees Association. However, he said he has not had time to evaluate that offer.
A reporter told him part of that plan was to dig more deeply into the city's reserves, taking it down to 8 percent. Goodman said he could not agree to that because the city needs those funds in place in case of a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake.
"We had a policy of keeping a 12 percent reserve. We've changed that policy, taking it down to 10 percent," he said. "We don't know what's going to happen in this economy. We're not going to dig into the stabilization fund because that's for emergencies ... That's not for making up a budget."
Asked about the possibility of raising property taxes further, Goodman said, "everything has to be discussed ...Nothing's off the table."
As an aside, the mayor said he had heard that Las Vegas headliner Terry Fator was going to add a puppet to his act called Oscar Mayor, representing Goodman.
"After yesterday's council meeting, instead of the bully pulpit, it's going to be a bully puppet," Goodman said, laughing.
Mayor, you need to start first w/Fire Dept. Talk about a expense that's brought this city down to it's knees & beyond....along w/their Union.
Do as the Irish do...
"All 1,200 Aer Lingus cabin crew in the Republic of Ireland are to be sent notices of termination of their employment next month and offered new contracts involving lower salary scales and changed work practices."
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/irel...
Metro gets WAY more money from the city than the fire dept does. Ever wonder why the mayor never brings that up?
Thank you for imposing your judeo-christian ethics on us all. Your more like Obama than you think.
Mayor, please proceed post haste. This is exactly what we need and you have my support.
That's right- cut people/pay and apply that to the raises due the fire dept. These COL-Merit raises are already in contract- signed and sealed by the city and the Fire Dept. Union Rep has already said no cuts to pay!!!
The fair thing to do is to cut the pay equally across the board(city, fire, law enforc). Why should only one group suffer when they all get paid out of the same wallet???!!!
yea mayor. do it!
vgasbb, you think? that's like complaining that california has a bigger budget than rhode island. i wonder how much crime vs how much fires that the city has to deal with, hmmm?
Good Ole Oscar, grandstanding once again. Im sure the only ones that think its is a good idea are his friends with the chamber. He forgets one thing, that the city cant prove it is in finacial trouble. When you cant afford something you dont go out and spend 1 billion dollars building things and expect your employees to take cuts so you can have a new city hall, mob museum, parks, and of course a concert hall. Wake up Oscar this is Las Vegas not Oscarland, This right here is the reason that we have unions, to protect the employee from bosses like you. This aint the good ole days when if you didnt like someone you can strong arm them. Do whats right sit down with your employees and work out a deal thats why its called negotiations. And by the way why no mention about Metro they are your biggest expense. If you still want to fire everyone then fire yourself first and take your councel and managers with you. The city is better without you all.
How this will save money is lost on me. The eight percent reduction in salaries, after hiring employees back, will not cover the cost of paying each fired employee their accrued sick and vacation leave balances.
Fire them all, the ingrates...
We can not be expected to carry the load. After all, our salary only averages several hundred K a year and we should not be expected to take a pay cut.
Signed,
The Fire Fighters Union
From my understanding of this article, firefighters and metro will not be affected by this "firing" but if you look at the pay scale of the city of Las Vegas on transparent Nevada from 2007, the first 5 pages are dominated by fire captains all making $100K plus a year.
http://transparentnevada.com/salaries/20...
Goodman has said that he wanted ALL employees to take a cut but why isn't he including the firefighters and metro?
This is a "great" idea to ensure the loyalty and morale of city employees. I'm sure the city will be able to recruit and retain the best possible employees with a strategy like this.
Have another martini, mayor.
Hey Oscar, call Bobbi Davis, you're neighbor in Nye county. She knows how to deal with WHORES, and can give you some great advice on how to handle the bunch you have working for you and your city.
Sure, he's serious. (wink wink!)
What a complete, total, pompous ASS.
You selfish idiots that call for the firing of all city workers better hope he's kidding...
This is NOT GOOD P.R. for the City of Las Vegas.
"Normal" folk do not like to hear about a GREEDY PIG Mayor that has no qualms about en-masse firings.
It will be seen as very DISTASTEFUL of the old coot.
Of course, it's EASY for Oscar The Grouch to say he's "serious" about ruining people's lives; he is very practised in the art.
High salaries will make up for your retention concerns.
City employees are lucky to have kept their positions this long. Why shouldn't they feel the same hardships of LV citizens who have lost jobs this past year.
It is also a great time to get rid of the dead weight city employee who takes 5 hour coffee breaks when a line of the people they were hired to serve are left waiting for their "kind" attention.
Mr. Godman will have a double!!. It has been a long week. Poor Oscar!!
I say do it! If they dont agree to a pay reduction so we can balance the budget then out with them all. There are plenty of qualified people unemployed in the city right now to replace their ungratefull butts.
Comment removed by moderator. Comment contained an advertisement.
I agree. Last week I went to apply for a business license. Arrogant city worker talked down to me. Time for a change.
What I love is that people can sit back and say that this is a good idea because it's NOT happening to them. If this was your company's CEO that said he/she was firing all it's employees and rehiring, I'll bet you would be freaking out.
No one seems to be concerned over the people's lives that are going to be affected by this. How it's going to interrupt their lives when this occurs.
Everyone always says that EVERY city employee is over paid and under worked. Ya, okay. I've heard that about every city/state employee no matter what state or where in the country. Maybe it's because they are jealous that they didn't get into the city. I'm not sure.
All I know is this is going to affect a bunch of people's lives and no one is looking at that.
Plus, on top of that, no one seems to care or wonder why Las Vegas will STILL be building their new City Hall, not to mention the other buildings they have set up. I also don't see any of the top management taking any paycuts over this. Why not? Why are they exempt? Everyone is getting upset at the Fire & Police Dept being paid so much, but no one has anything that the Mayor and his crew should have pay cuts.
Maybe they should start from the top and work their way down. Besides, all the big money is at the top. I believe if they would stop their new City Hall (which, honestly, they don't need) and all their new programs/buildings, then they probably would have enough left over.
A 16% paycut over 2 years is a lot. How would you like your pay cut 16% over 2 years? Seriously, take out a calculator and subtract 8% of your yearly pay right now and then see how much of your biweekly paycheck you would lose...then double that. You probably don't like it, do you? But since it's not happening to you, you are all for this happening. However, I'm sure if it was your CEO coming to you to say they were going to do this, no matter how much you made or didn't make, things would be different in your eyes.
So, try and take a step back and think about how other's lives are going to be affected by this, if it goes through. Some of the people are already affected because of everything that is going on. Think about the stress people are going through about possibly losing their jobs or losing money when they are barely making it as it is.
Just a thought...doen't always think of just yourself.
A concerned Las Vegas citizen
With all do respect to the professional men and women in this service area of the city... everybody is , and has been hurting and taking consessions .. It is now your time to feel the pain that everybody else has been feeling.. simple,, do more with less.. I am.. and I have adjusted just fine !
* Go Mayor Go *
you have my support !
Mayor for Life!
Anything a city employee does, can be done equally well by somebody in the private sector. Further, in the private sector, unless the jobs are controlled by a union, there is accountability. Do your job, earn raises, stay employed. If you are a flake, 92 disciplinary notices aren't needed for a 3 day suspension.
A 16% paycut is alot over 2 years. However, a 100% paycut is far more. When the economy turns around, you can once again renegotiate some ridiculous over the top wages with benefits that far outweigh anything one might find in the private sector.
The Sun really needs to lay off of the close up photos of Oscar-that or he needs to get a putty job on that nose of his. How many freakin gallons of vodka does it take to do that?
I was slightly in favor of this until I saw it doesn't affect the FD. They're the ones who are getting all the heat when it comes to salaries, but they're exempt from this?
I still have my reservations about this evolving from the exception to the rule whenever there is a union dispute in the future.
Do it Oscar! Go ahead and skin that smoke wagon!..
Hey mike, I think it is Gin??..
SO MUCH HATE...for your friends and neighbors.
Ugly, Ugly, Ugly.
Does that mean the Mayor should be the first one in line to get fired?? Or is he exempt from that since he is the one that came up with the idea and trying to push it through?
Mayor Goodman stated: "I believe it is the right thing. I believe in altruism. I believe in brotherhood. I believe that the city employees should feel that they're part of a community and that they should be watching out for one another." "That's what we've been taught in the Judeo-Christian ethic and if they don't want to do it, then I'll try to do it for them."
Lets see...8% pay cut and 4 day work week to save the job's of 146 employee's and close a 70 mil budget shortfall...sounds like a "No Brainer" too me. But please Mr. Mayor, the contract's of our beloved Las Vegas Public Safety Employee's must be reviewed in an effort to keep thing's fair and balanced for ALL. The Honorable Mayor Oscar Goodman for Govenor anyone???
I am a city employee. I have been a dedicated, loyal and proud employee for 5 years. I do not make that much money. This is especially true in comparison to some of the upper echelon fire and police employees. I am a single mother supporting an aging parent. I do not live an extravagant lifestyle. I have a 10 year old car. I have a modest and small home. I have cut back on expenses as much as I possibly can following my divorce and subsequent bankruptcy. I am the face of the employee who will be losing my job under the mayor's proposal. I work very, very hard in the name of public service but my accomplishments ring hollow. What the Mayor and Ms. Fretwell are asking for is unrealistic. They want 8% this year and 8% next year plus a freeze of all other pay like cost of living. I have no problem negotiating with the city in good faith but so far this has not occured. It is Mayor Goodman's way or the highway. They have not lived up to their promises from prior negotiations when the CEA was the only union who gave the City a concession. Despite what Mayor Goodman says, they cannot promise that all lay offs will cease even if we do give them what they want. This is the main reason why we have not agreed to their terms. I used to look up to Mr. Goodman and Ms. Fretwell. That is no longer the case. I am still doing the best job that I can for the public because that is what I agreed to do. However, I no longer feel the same sense of loyalty to the city when they have treated me and my colleagues so badly. I propose that when they "fire" city employees that they do not return. Think about what effect that would have on the City. Things would come to a stand still while the City scrambled to find new employees. Think about how many of us there are and what it is that we do for the City. The job that I provide is just as valuable as the Police or Fire.
Oscar is to the city what Ronald McDonald is to the McDonald's corp. , a symbolic clown, except one of them is also a moron, the other has red hair.
Go ahead and fire them, pay them for vacation, sick leave, etc. Will cost WAY more this way. then the one who do not accept lower wages can collect unemployment for the next year.
I wonder if Oscar's first thought was to cut of their thumbs.......?
To caring soul:
I think the anger the taxpayers have is not towards people like you. If Oscars plan does not address the FD it is not something I would support. The outrageous money these guys are making is the biggest issue. If this doesn't change then this idea is pointless.
Hey unsilent; Did your ex wife leave you for a Firefighter?. Yep, I think she did... I guess this means can't be friends.
caringsoul
Quit your tears,
Its a good idea and if you do not like it quit.
I am sure there will be lots of people applyig for that job you like so much.
Cuts need to be made and this is a start.
The fire dept really is the biggest thief here, but them & their union are untouchable. It's all about the benjamins
How do you people know that Metro ISNT pending any paycuts? I for one know for a FACT that they ARE pending MORE paycuts. MORE. Like they already have implemented them, already in effect for over 1 year....so before you start making your comments, have your facts. If your so appalled about how much a government worker makes...then why didnt you just apply yourself? When researching jobs you want, dont you look into everything that is involved like education, experience, benefits, salary, etc? Or are all of you bashers just those that can only work at menial jobs suited for kids who are still in high school working for spending money?
Mike, What an ugly thing to say...
CaringSoul:
This will sound harsh, but it's not meant as an attack...
You're a single Mother- caring for an aging parent...(family of 3)Barely scraping by.
Now- do it WITHOUT a paycheck for 3 months, 6 months, 2 years....
Walk a mile in my worn, hole-y shoes, Sister. Let's see how good that 16% salary cut looks, then.
If you all left, en mass- I'd be there, to assume your job duties, before the close of business...along with WELL OVER 200 other QUALIFIED people.
Some1whocares:
The same applies. Many of us have worked for a business where the CEO DID come in and 'clean house'. You have to re-apply for your job, for the new owners.
Replacing you all, could affect even MORE than 147 people. With the savings, there could be a few extra jobs worked in- and STILL come out ahead.
I've met a few WONDERFUL LV City Employees. And then there's the REST of you...
2010, The Las Vegas Civil War.
GO OSCAR GO
GO OSCAR GO
GO OSCAR GO
GO OSCAR GO
COUNTY AND STATE BETTER BE DOING THE SAME
COUNTY AND STATE BETTER BE DOING THE SAME
lets fire mayor goober and just think he was thinking to run for governor
we don't need any new city hall. we don't need 3 11 story police building
if this plan goes through, many more people will lose jobs. its called unintended consequences. my husband works for a car dealership that sells average price cars and small suvs. the owner of the dealership told him most of the people buying cars right now are mostly government workers and some upper level casino employees. i imagine this applies to other businesses as well, such as remodeling, and countless other businesses that are just barely hanging on. so if you fire all government employees and even if you rehire them at a lower wage, the vegas economy sinks further, and more jobs will be lost. with their jobs being threatened they probably arent spending any $$$ anyways.
Do it Mayor. Fire them. The unions arrogance in thinking their better than the rest of us.
Okay, so we fire everyone pay everyone accrued sick/vacation time, how then does the City operate? How long will it take to hire the new employees? How long will it take to train them if not qualified to perform the job?
Incredible, years reading your site and comments and first time I had to join to post. Do half you people read the story/situation???? Have capability of comprehending it???
Go Oscar, put them on notice, wish you could put them all on pay for performance instead, but wonderful you figured a way to keep these people's family receiving a paycheck.
Unions? Form of communism, pure and simple. Promotes laziness and opportunism with undeserved security. We all suffer when we don't do our best to achieve.
Really, this country was built and excels on outperforming others, Vegas, of which I visit often, and have financial interests in, has been destroyed up and down the strip by underperforming grab artists who migrate there to hone their "talents".
I once fired 150 leeches in one company to "rehire" 50 on performance scale, they made/earned double the income previously for their families. The company grew to hire much more than were 'let go'. The others more than likely are stealing or living off hard worker's taxes. We dont need you, you're wrecking our country.
It starts with education, which this comment board sorely lacks evidently.
This economy is not anybody's fault but our own. Man up and do it right.
Im with you mayor! Were all in a tight budget these days and these guys are civic workers for the people or have they forgotten that. The people are having a hard time and they want to be above that....horse crappy!!!
I say that Metro should not be exempt either...I think if we included ALL city workers, the cuts would not have to be so deep. If you included everyone in this Im sure we would have the cuts down to a 3 or 4 percent wage cut or lower, perhaps even 1 or 2%.
Oscar is Las Vegas and this Republican thinks he is doing a GREAT job!
Billy Soloe
www.soloeforsenate.com
Nevada Senate District 10
Wish Oscar could take down the cop and firemen unions, more opportunistic grabbing and preying on our post 911 fears. Their pay is outrageous in comparison to your school teachers, etc.
@futurestia..You need a job? wash my shirt.
Once a municipal employee is fired, several things are required by law:
1) municipality must pay them for their unused sick and vacation per policy. Courts have ruled that when the employee is fired, even if the employee is appealing the firing, the City has no right to hold this money.
2) employee has a choice to remove all monies from the retirement fund, plus interest, or leave it in place and draw a future annuity.
As a municipal employee (I'm not in Nevada), these two totals for me would equal about $225,000.
3) If any of these fired employees have a contract in place and this is done to bypass the contract, courts will issue backpay and damages.
4) Next year's budget will be no better than this year's. Will we fire everyone again and hire them back at 32 hours a week?
5) City and State coffers will foot the bill for those who want to draw unemployment for two years instead of going back to work.
Yeah you guys have a real long term thinker in the Mayor. This will cost the City millions. And if the unions stick together, no one will reapply for their jobs. After a few days, the employees will be dictating terms to be rehired with a raise and better benefits. You can't train thousands of new employees when there is no one to train them. City will collapse. Publicity will keep visitors away.
Mayor is out of his league on this one. JMHO.
Why is it that none of the managers and executives are taking any direct pay cuts? They make the most money, have the ability to abuse the tax payers money more than anyone! This whole mess of lies is just amazing. I have worked in both the public and private sector in this town and I tell ya the work ethics in the private sector is sickening. I have never met so many scammers and lazy people in my life! Any thing to make an easy buck no matter how much it costs or who it hurts. Public workers, most have to have a degree in their field, pass a civil test, department test, and receive council approval. They are required outside of work hours to represent the city in a positive way, basically on duty at all times. And yes I strongly believe in performance based! Many public workers dont take lunches, breaks, work late on their own time (even before the budget issues) to make sure things are done correctly and efficiently for their customers, the tax payers! Many have save the city millions of dollars. And the ones directly dealing with customers (the taxpayers) abuse all day every day need to be commended! It is not their fault you didnt pay your fine or bills, but you take it out on them and they have to take it with a smile.
Fact, City Hall workers are more than willing to take days off without pay, give up raises (which most are topped out and only get colas) and part of their retirement cuz Lord knows they will never see it anyway. And take some pay cuts. But it is pretty hard too do that if your superiors don't. And when you see all the money managment wastes! If you need to hire consultants for every little thing, maybe you need knew management!
And Oscar, you made this City of yours a laughing stock. And I hope no one comes back and the Great City Hall falls to the ground! As well as you personally, only then will know what it is like to struggle and wonder where you are going to live.
And good luck to you newbies who think is so easy and fun. Let us all know in a year if feel the same.
Athens:
"You can't train thousands of new employees when there is no one to train them. City will collapse."
No, it won't collapse. Why do you need 'training' to clean floors, type, answer phones, or direct someone to the bathroom?
As to Trouble:
The Government is very good about hiring people, and allowing them time to pass civil tests, and the like. The City Council could waive approvals, temporarily, and to cut down on the money for background checks, they could only allow those of us who have already been vetted, to take the FIRST WAVE of positions.
What would happen? You'd call and have to wait an extra minute, while someone looks up the proper extention to transfer you to? I think for the first couple of months, the people would be willing to give a LITTLE bit of 'slack'.
Tonight, I've been reading online news stories, concerning massive teacher lay offs throughout California.
As a person who once took a 2/3rds pay cut, in one fell swoop, as part of an attempt to save our firm when its biggest client went bankrupt and stiffed us, all I can say to the employees of the City of Las Vegas and Clark County:
GET A GRIP ON REALITY.
THE CITY'S AND COUNTY'S ECONOMIC SITUATION IS GOING TO GET FAR WORSE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. ITS FAR BETTER TO TAKE A PAY CUT THAN HAVE ALL THOSE PEOPLE WITH LESS SENIORITY LAID OFF THIS YEAR. BECAUSE NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE YOUR TURN TO BE LAID OFF.
YES to a higher pay cut to city employees and a big NO to higher property taxes especially now that home values have dropped significantly.
I have lost my job the beginning of 2010 and so far I got lucky and was able to find a job but my pay is now down nearly 50%, yes nearly 50% and I do not make anything at all to begin with compared to these city employees with generous benefits so to all these employees, I hope they all get fired and whomever gets hired, get their salaries cut big time.
NO to higher property tax, Im one of those people who pay property tax and I CANNOT AFFORD any increase in property taxes considering I got nearly 5o% cut in my pay.
I see we are still building the Mob Museum as a tribute to the mayor's prior career as mob attorney. Certainly there no other place we could be spending that money.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar...
It says firefighters are exempt. They're the biggest budget busters who should be "fired" in order to cut their salaries...
hey oscar...
you were in my dog house after your pathetic stance on obama's recent visit...
well guess what...
come on out buddy...
you are the man!!!
Cuts are cuts in the private or public sectors. But the thing is all government employees, no matter if it's the state, county, city, town, etc., all feel they have "job security." That a government job is a permanent one. That a government job is a job for life - hence the reason why many of them give poor customer service due to the length of a firing process compared to the private sector when a boss can just say, "you're fired."
We're looking at $70 million here. The population of the city is roughly 600,000. That's $11.66 per person. Figure out something where all bay a stinking ten bucks. I mean, come on - ten bucks. That'll bring the budget shortfall down to $1 million. And when times are back to "normal", whenever that is, the City can cut back their tax to make up for it. I think residents could understand paying ten dollars to stop all this right now so they can have continued services.
chediski you make no sense.
you stipulate the true fact that government employees give poor customer service (many are lazy and would NOT be able to keep a job in the private sector - yet scrunge off the taxpayer roles for years)
and THEN, you recommend we all pay even MORE taxes to protect the jobs of these lazy do-nothings.
Good point, Joe!
Chediski- what you're forgetting, is that many of those 600k residents are NOT WORKING, so $10 is a high price.
Let alone the additional $10.00 each, to cover our aged and/or minor dependents.
Hey I tried to help out. Went to my neighborhood firehouse to help the firemen wash their firetrucks, as a volunteer, thinking maybe they could get some much needed rest before the poker game started. Boy what a mistake 12 of them surrounded me, and said I wasn't qualified to do their work. I'm going tomorrow and see if I can sweep the floors and mow the grass, I'll let you know how that turns out later.
Good one Tundra. Instead of acknowledging the issues at hand, you know how ff scam ot, get paid too much for doing nothing, and run to every accident to run-up the amount of calls they can show for budget reasons. Not to mention the fire department rarely fights fires...you keep making your jokes. probably from work and getting ot for it as well. I guess the joke is on the taxpayer. What would you do if you were actually a ff in a city where you had to go into buildings and actually fight a fire? Real ff think you guys are the joke. Believe me on that one.
1500 civilian metro workers are due in June for a 3.5 cost of living increase. FIFTEEN HUNDRED...yet nobody has a problem with that?
A contract is a contract, he is violating so many federal laws he'll never get out of court. When you have a labor contract that specifically states what the wages are and the increments of raises you have to abide by the contract. If both parties agree to consessions in mid contract then so be it, this is not the case. Seniority prevails and the junior employees will be laid off. It would be advantagious for the unions to take consessions at this time when the economy is so bad ,but theyre being stubborn and nobody wants to concede, therefore, you lay off ,you don't fire everyone and Oscar should know better,he's a Lawyer.
Oscar is sounding like a simple mind RepubliCON/Can't more and more...LOSER!
I love how everyone is hating on city employees and their pay. Sounds like a lot of people are envious of our career choices. Its not my fault we made good choices. Dont hate because you went to college and got degrees and simple people like me make more with out a minute of higher education.
ITS TIME FOR OLD MAN GOODMAN TO LEAVE, SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE STAY'S IN ONE PLACE TO LONG. IT'S TIME FOR NEW IDEA'S AND A BETTER WAY TO KEEP UP WITH THE WAY BUSINESS HAS CHANGED. LOOK, THE FINICAL PROBLEM FELL UNDER CITY HALL AND THE MAYOR AND NOT THE EMPLOYEE'S. AS A PERSON WHO WATCH MY WALLET I AM VERY CAREFUL IN SPENDING. THE MAYOR ALSO HAD LAVISH SPENDING AND HE KNOWS IT.IT SEEMS TO ME THEY HAD ALREADY PLANED TO LAY OFF THOSE EMPLOYEE'S, DIDN'T YOU HEAR HIM EVEN IF THEY TOOK A CUT THERE IS NO PROMISE THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE LAY OFFS, THAT IS NOT THE EMPLOYEE'S FAULT. THEY OVER PAID THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY HAVEN'T LAID OFF ANYONE OF THEIR PERSONNEL YET. COME ON GIVE ME A BREAK GOODMAN THIS SO NOTICEABLE. SHAME ON "YOU"! I AM A TAX PAYER AND I AM UPSET WITH YOU.
CAN THE MAYOR FIRE HIMSELF FIRST LOL:) GET SOMEONE ELSE NEW IN THERE WHO CARES ABOUT THE CITY, THE EMPLOYEE'S,THE PEOPLE AND LAS VEGAS AS A WHOLE.THE CITY WILL BE UPSIDE DOWN IN DANGER IN ALL ASPECTS AND A BUNCH OF VIOLATIONS AND HE WILL BE SOOOO MUCH IN TROUBLE. THINK MAYOR !
"Walk a mile in my worn, hole-y shoes, Sister. Let's see how good that 16% salary cut looks, then.
If you all left, en mass- I'd be there, to assume your job duties, before the close of business...along with WELL OVER 200 other QUALIFIED people."
Vegasvixen:
I'm with you even though I sympathize with caringsoul. BUT.....Hell, even with her 8% pay cut, my guess she STILL will have her health insurance!!!
So, yeah - I'd take that paycut....
I was shocked to see the salaries of these government employees!!! No wonder the city is going broke!!! They need to be reduced by 75% not 10%!!!
Hopefully Clark county supervisors will take a clue from Oscar and follow suit ! Great job Oscar, I have not talked to one person that is not behind you. And while your at it , repeal turn limits so you can remain Mayor for Life !!!
One does not get to be a shyster Mob lawyer like Oscar without knowing how to take advantage of the problem and fix it your way. Public union employees cannot strike, and Oscar knows it. He's got them by the short, medium, and huckleberry "hairs". Watch out, Vegas, Oscar is on his way to glory!
Las Vegas Sun: There is no news here. It would be better journalism for you to cover the real faces and people of your city. They are more important than this and deserve our attention. One triumph of epistemic virtues in Las Vegas would be for the mayor to expect his weekly ego fix of attention from the trained sheep and for no journalists to show up as they were turning their attention to the real world of the people of Las Vegas. This is the path of least resistance, please find the courage to change it.
Hey pierre, your right, public employees can't strike but they can file charges with the NLRB and Oscar would have a lot splaining to do. What Oscar is talking about is against the law, that is a seriuos ULP charge and he should know that. He's been a perty good Mayor, so far. I would hope he's smarter than to actually try this stunt. Put down the Gin bottle Mr. Mayor c'mon you can do it.
Mr. Unsilent; I am so sick of the threats. You and all the others continue to solve all the budget problems on this "chat room" . I do think the mayor needs to pull the trigger. Fire all the FD and PD included . We can let Wackenhut, Medic West, AMR and a private Fire agency come in and take over all emergencies. I would be glad to retire and move to my vacation home. When I am not fishing, hiking or just enjoying a nice sunny day, I just might pick up the laptop and see you continue to solve all ongoing budget problems.
Have a great weekend; your online Buddy and Wannabe Firefighter; Tundra. ( If you think I am "joking", I am not!!)
Fed
Ummm-----Unfortunately, the NLRB is very corrupt and is not there for the people it is supposed to represent. Do you know that the NLRB fratenizes with Union bosses and business agents? They have "lunch" together---(((probably watch Monday night football together)))...They need to clean house at the NLRB and make it a good organization like it once was---Since Bush---it has fallen apart with corruption----They are extremly rude there as well--and are typical government workers and don't like to do much work...Right Mr. Stupp
Will you do me a favour, more places to jobbing. Will need few careers more to heavyweight class. No more recession, nowhere.
*** I meant MR. STUMP....***
TAKE THE BALLS AND DO IT !!!! This will wake up the unions, etc...welcome to reality!!
@CaringSoul:
While I applaud your "loyalty..welcome to the real world..loyalty has been gone since the late 80's..Now people work from job to job and are loked upon that if they dont have alot of jobs, they havent increased their worth. ALSO, budgets are budgets..we all have been let go at one time or another..sorry for your loss, but join the rest of us at 30% unemployment !
retiredyoungster, I have 4 words for y'all...
Never
Going
to
happen.
Is that Oscars nose, or is he eating a banana ??
Go Goodman Go! Next fire the fire department.... Lots of folks to fill those cushy jobs too! I'd bet a million dollars easily saved.
If he bluffs and doesn't do it then it's time to replace him. Poker tables are a place for bluffs, not government budgets. He's let things get out of control with things like fireman pay and police pay. Now, fix the mistakes or get the hell out of the way. You're reading this Oscar, do what needs to be done.
Goodman only reads bottle labels.
"I don't want to cause anybody any grief, aggravation or expense until I feel I'm doing the right thing legally."
Ethically ... well, let's face it: this is Las Vegas, and he used to be a mob attorney.
A lot people are playing the part of grade A suckers.
All this is just show by the mayor.
The city manager is bargaining with all the unions and this is just trying to get leverage.
He is not going to do it for many reasons like the legality of it and the cost of doing it.
The mayor is making a lot of you guys look like idiots.
Fire all of them and list all the job openings. Aside from the English language, I can speak, write and comprehend another language. I can easily improve on my Spanish if needed for the job for a total of 3 languages.I have an extensive customer service skills and I have a college and university education, I will fill in any of their jobs for more than 8 percent cut. Fire all of them mayor and while you are at it, reduce your pay as well. Government employees are overpaid for their work and should be accorded a big paycut similar to their counterpart in the pvt sector. All for one, one for all in this tough economic times.
This is a crock. This is a way for the mayor & his pals to get rid of people they don't like.
Think about it, if you and a current/former boss have/had personality differences, what better way for him to get rid of you. His boss fires you, but you "can" reapply for your own job. How likely are you to get your own job back, even at the new lower pay scale.
Bottom line....Oscar can't be trusted.
Never enter a contract with the man.
He will figure to weasel out of it.
The same goes for all the city council people who are supporting this study.
They should not be re-elected or elected to some other positions.
Simply....they lost the trust factor with the voters.
I actually got cut back to half time, three years before I could retire, from my civil service job. I know how it felt, it was most painful financially. My employer told me if I resisted they would have to lay off others too. I could have fought it, but who would have cared, as long as it saved their job? It's a jungle out there, money is tight, and no one can count on avoiding the budget ax.
If the city can't live within its means, it will eventually have to go bankrupt.
Cut Metro first. I am sure the pigs will have plenty of money left after bribes and the like. Either that or you might start with taking their patrol cars away since those morons are incapable of driving anyway.
JSin
So the mayor says if city employees take a 16% pay cut then no one will lose thier job? But then the city manager says.....no, even if they take the paycuts we still may lay people off. It sounds like they want to lay people off no matter what. And if they fire everyone, are they promising the employee that they will be rehired? How much will it cost the taxpayer to go through the firing/rehiring process? Or is this just a way for them to get rid of people and blame the unions?
If the money saved on salaried was going back to the taxpayer in a productive way I could kind of understand. But to see working class people give up jobs and wages to fund projects like a city hall and mob museum just doesn't make sense.
Why not ask all city agencies funded by taxpayers (including the 3000 officers and 1500 civilians at Metro) to take a smaller paycut. Putting it all on city employees doesn't seem fair. Why are we never allowed to see Metro salaries? They are never on TransparentNV or listed by news agencies. Is it true that they are getting a 3.5% raise this year? Eliminating that raise could save a lot of jobs. Seems simple.......spread the pay reduction over a greater number of employees to reduce the loss per employee. Maybe the CEA and fire union would be on board if they were getting the same deal as the police.
Is the Mayor willing to accept the same deal for himself and his staff?
If so, I wonder if he & they will get rehired!!!
Start at the top and work from there. That's the problem with Government and several private employers. The little guy (or gal) does all the work and the top guys (or gals) get all the pay.
When times get rough who do they cut back? They don't sell their jet or 2nd & 3rd house, they cut back the one's working that got them where they are at, and keep their Companies running, or they out source the labor to foreign countries.
Buy American made only !!!!
@caringsoul
Bless your heart for taking care of your aging parent while working and being a Mom. At least your not mooching off the system like some...
All this speculation, arguing and drama. Let's just wait and see what happens.
Does anyone know what the martuni under/over was for Oscar b4 he threw out the 1st pitch of Cubs/Sox game. What a tard.