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Council Hits Privatizing Jobs

Tribune photo by KELVIN MA

Robert Moore, vice president of the United School Employees of Pasco County, protests to show solidarity with the Tampa city workers, who face impending layoffs, outside Tampa City Hall on Dec. 20, 2007.

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 21, 2007

Updated: 12/21/2007 12:14 am

TAMPA - The fight between the city council and mayor over proposed layoffs grew markedly more contentious Thursday during a day that included sign-wielding protesters outside City Hall and threats from some council members that they will refuse to approve contracts to privatize certain city services.

Mayor Pam Iorio wants to cut about 100 city jobs by turning some services, such as janitorial and security work, over to the private sector. She has the authority to lay off the employees, but hiring private contractors to replace those services would require approval from the city council.

During a heated debate Thursday that turned downright nasty at times, several council members signaled their support is doubtful.

"What happens if the council votes down the contracts?" Councilman Tom Scott asked.

If that happens, the council and the mayor could be in a stalemate. Some council members are hoping the threat of that possibility forces Iorio to reconsider her plan.

After the debate, Councilman John Dingfelder said he hoped the administration heard "the message loud and clear" that a majority of council members probably would not support privatizing those services.

The remarks came after more than 30 union members, including some city workers, protested outside city hall, arguing their jobs should be preserved. Employees also crowded council chambers to address the board about how the job cuts would affect their lives.

Ronnie Gipson, who has worked for the city for four years, said he fears he is about to lose his job as a security officer in the parks and recreation department.

"They're not telling us exactly when or what's going on," Gipson said. "We're in limbo."

According to Iorio's privatization plan, which she announced in November, about 50 security officers and 38 janitors are among those targeted to lose their jobs next year. Iorio has said the cuts are necessary as the city tries to handle the consequences of state-mandated property tax cuts.

The recommendation to lay off about 100 workers came from a 14-member task force, which started meeting over the summer. The group's ideas are projected to save the city about $3.4 million annually, including $950,000 by laying off janitors and $350,000 by laying off security workers. The layoffs are expected to come in the spring or summer.

But several council members questioned the validity of the savings estimates because no contracts have been awarded yet.

"You don't have all the facts and all the information," Scott said. "Now you've got all these people riled up, right before Christmas, right before the holidays. There are mixed messages."

James Buckner, the task force's chairman, acknowledged "these are our best estimates at this point." He said employees were given notice about impending layoffs so they could start looking for other work.

Rallying For Jobs

During the morning rally outside city hall, workers chanted "No justice, no peace!" They lined up along Florida Avenue and Jackson Street, holding signs saying "Quit firing our city workers" and "One job cut is too many." Some motorists honked in support. Workers from other local unions joined with the city workers.

As Dingfelder drove into the City Hall parking lot, workers cheered him. Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena shook hands with some of the employees, asked them about their personal situations and, responding to a question from one worker, said she generally opposes privatization.

Amalgamated Transit Union President Martha Stevens said she didn't know about the most recent round of layoffs until a Tribune reporter called her. Her union represents about 2,300 city workers.

"These people are going to be without health care," Stevens said. "People are stressed, they're depressed, because they don't know if they have a job come next year."

The noise from the rally spilled over inside city hall. So many people jammed into the chamber and the adjacent lobby that a fire marshal moved some people to an overflow room downstairs.

During the public comment portion of the council meeting, employees asked why the city was cutting janitors and security workers - some of the lowest-paid employees - rather than top-level administrators and department heads. They complained the union was not at the table during discussions over the plan.

Some had their spouses address the council. Others took their children with them to the podium.

Delory Francis addressed the council wearing an "I am Tampa, Doing my part" T-shirt. The slogan was popular during the early years of Iorio's administration.

"We are the ones who are at the bottom of the ladder in city government and the ones who can afford it the least," said Francis, a security worker and 12-year city employee.

Ronald Starr has worked for the city for more than 20 years. The parking division security worker thinks his job is on the line. His wife, Denise, talked to the council.

"The city is spending millions of dollars on the Riverwalk and art museum, which is a wonderful idea, but not at the cost of people's livelihoods," Denise Starr said.

In perhaps the most dramatic move, water security officer Alonso Ramirez took off a sneaker and told the council that the city buys him a new pair of $160 shoes every year.

"There are many ways to save money," Ramirez said. "I don't need a $160 pair of shoes."

Saul-Sena urged the workers to tell their friends to vote against the Jan. 29 property tax referendum, which could cause city government to further cut its budget. After the public comment portion of the meeting concluded, Dingfelder left the chamber and followed the employees to the parking lot, where he shook hands with many of them and thanked them for speaking at the meeting.

Council, Administration Argue

Chief of Staff Darrell Smith, responding to complaints that the union and council members didn't have warning about the layoffs, said the recommendations are not final.

"It's not time for the appropriate notice because we don't have accurate information to convey to employees," Smith said.

Councilman Charlie Miranda asked the administration to consider further cuts to travel budgets. He also said a more thorough analysis of how many employees are expected to retire from the city is needed.

"The worst thing any big company can do is lose the morale of employees," Miranda said.

Several council members said they approached Iorio about across-the-board pay cuts for city employees in lieu of layoffs. Councilwoman Mary Mulhern said Iorio did not seem to support that idea.

Smith said layoffs are necessary: Three-quarters of the general fund goes to personnel expenses.

"People are our most important asset," Smith said. "But we've got to realize the reality of the significant budget situation we have to deal with. Hard decisions are going to have to be made."

Exchanges between Dingfelder and Smith turned particularly testy, especially when Dingfelder asked Smith how many city workers are not covered by union contracts. Smith said he did not have that information readily available.

Dingfelder, chairman of the council's finance committee, also admonished Smith for not having anyone in the administration talk to him about the layoffs.

Miranda put his head in his hands as the two argued.

Reporter Michael H. Samuels contributed to this story. Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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