As city workers face possible cuts, union says ‘not us’
Posted Apr 19, 2010 02:42:48 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The union that represents City Hall workers has a warning for Halifax city council as it prepares to continue its debate over a $30 million budget shortfall.
The union representing City Hall’s inside workers says there’s room for cuts as council looks for savings, just not them.
“I think there’s probably some room to cut; just not amongst front line workers, though,” says union rep Ron Stockton. “It’s got to be in the areas like human resources that have sort of ballooned in size over the years.”
City council has already been chastised by senior city hall management for openly discussing the possibility of job cuts.
Mayor Peter Kelly says despite the concerns of city hall managers, job cuts are still on the table. He says he still thinks staff can be cut by 10 per cent through early retirements and buyouts.
“It is all doable but we have to work with the service components first to see where we can move some people around if need be,” says Kelly. “Then find a way to deal with potential staff alterations.”
He says he hopes cuts can be avoided, but council has a responsibility to consider all options.
