* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Conaway
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Emergency Hearing - Fire Department Lay-Offs
FOR the purpose of calling for an immediate emergency hearing on the purposed layoff of Fire Department personnel to determine if such personnel actions are the most prudent approach to budget shortfalls, to make certain that any necessary lay-offs are governed by fair, objective, and consistent criteria, and to ensure that all proposed personnel actions are treated with strict confidentiality and are not open to public scrutiny.
body
Recitals
In order to address an anticipated $60.2 million budget shortfall in City government coffers, it is expected there will be reductions in funding for libraries, senior centers, elections, and health services. In addition, there will be across-the-board furloughs for non-public safety personnel and 27 City employee lay-offs in 6 agencies. The Police and Fire Unions that object to the lay-off or furlough of their members were given some leeway to present a an alternative plan to reach departmental budget reduction requirements.
In a letter to the Mayor and the Board of Estimates, Fire Fighters Local 734, Fire Officers Local 964 and Police Lodge 3 stated that the members of bargaining units they represented were being asked to suffer larger cuts than the rest of City government: "They are being asked to contribute more than others, as they daily contribute more in their labor and loyalty on the streets of Baltimore to protect and defend the residents of Baltimore City."
The Public Safety Unions express concern that specific fiscal documentation of the need for the purposed furloughs has not been forthcoming and that specific issues have not been addressed. Questions remain about furloughs and salary adjustments that were instituted in past fiscal crises, only to be rescinded when it was determined other budgetary action could satisfactorily address shortfalls.
The members of the Public Safety Unions daily risk life and limb to protect the citizens of our great city. In return, the government of the City that benefits from their valor must satisfactorily address the issues that cause these brave employees distress.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body hereby calls for an immediate emergency hearing on the purposed layoff of Fire Department personnel to determine if such personnel actions are the most prudent approach to
budget shortfalls, to make certain that any necessary lay-offs are governed by fair, objective, and consistent criteria, and to ensure that all proposed personnel actions are treated with strict confidentiality and are not open to public scrutiny.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Members of Baltimore Fire Fighters Local 734, Baltimore Fire Officers Local 964, and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 are invited to participate in the emergency hearing.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Presidents of Baltimore Fire Fighters Local 734, Baltimore Fire Officers Local 964, and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 09-0887~intro/30Sep09
ccres/Layoffs/nf
dlr 09-0887~intro/30Sep09
??2??
ccres/Layoffs/nf