Pickets Decry Tampa Layoffs

TAMPA - Chanting "No justice, no peace!" more than 30 union workers, including several city employees, protested outside city hall this morning.

They said Mayor Pam Iorio shouldn't proceed with plans to lay off 100 employees.

In November, Iorio announced 100 people likely would lose their jobs next year when the city privatizes some services. About 50 security officers and 38 janitors are among those targeted.

The workers lined up along Florida Avenue and Jackson Street, holding signs saying things such as "quit firing our city workers."

Ronnie Gipson, who has worked for the city for four years, 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."

Amalgamated Transit Union President Martha Stevens said she didn't know about the most recent round of layoffs until a Tribune reporter called her.

"When this came in November, it was a surprise," Stevens said. "These people are going to be without health care. People are stressed, they're depressed, because they don't know if they have a job come next year."

Iorio has said she needs to lay off employees because of state-mandated property tax cuts. She plans to privatize services within a few months.

As Councilman John Dingfelder pulled into the city hall parking lot, workers cheered him.

Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena shook hands with some of the employees and said she generally opposes privatization.

The West Central Florida Federation of Labor generally opposes the privatization of government services. The Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents more than 2,000 city employees, is a member of the West Central Florida Federation of Labor. Members of other local unions, including Hillsborough Area Regional Transit's, joined with the city workers in today's protest.

The protest continues outside and can be heard from council chambers, on the third floor of city hall. Dozens of city employees, mostly security and janitorial workers, are at the council meeting and plan to speak.

The city council and city administration are expected to discuss the privatization at today's meeting.