New York City to lay off teachers, close fire companies, cut social programs

[Hannah Bell]

New York City’s billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg last Friday announced $600 million in budget cuts for the city’s Fiscal Year 2012, which will begin on July 1.

Bloomberg’s $65.77 billion proposed budget, which, according to law, must be balanced and approved by the city council by June 30, includes the elimination of over 6,000 teaching positions in the public schools, plans to close 20 fire companies and cuts to youth programs, homeless services, elder-care programs, continuing education programs, libraries and cultural organizations.

The impact of teacher layoffs would be felt across all of New York’s five boroughs. Hardest hit are 156 schools slated to lose at least 20 percent of their staff. The layoffs would go into effect when schools reopen in the fall of 2011.

For months, New York City’s billionaire-in-chief has used the threat of teacher layoffs as a bludgeon to attack teachers’ seniority rights. He has repeatedly called for elimination of so-called “last in, first out” provisions to pit younger teachers against older teachers and sponsored measures in the New York state legislature to base staff reductions on the preference of school authorities.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/may2011/nybu-m09.shtml

Same playbook they used in LA. Going into effect all over the country.

Last week I was talking to some Seattle-area education people & they were clueless.

Why isn't the message getting down to the rank-&-file? That's what a union is supposed to be for. Without that basic education function, sheep to the slaughter.

Bloomie's also cutting 20 fire companies. Shades of the 70s. I guess there's still some "urban renewal" left to take care of.

Other highlights:

- Libraries lose 530 employees.
- Prisoners no longer get "non-essentials" like condiments & slices of bread.
- $1 million cut from medical services in homeless shelters, $6 million from homeless youth.
- Rent subsidies for homeless families cut
- CUNY loses $63 million on top of the $107 million it already lost
- CHARTER SCHOOLS GET AN ADDITIONAL $139 MILLION.


fUCK BLOOMBERG

[Hardrada]

1. Our system of government isn't working for us at all.

Smash it and take the overlords down with it.

[reggie the dog]

9. that is what the anarchists have been saying for over 100 years

[Sherman A1]

2. One wonders if, the mayor's staff was left untouched?

Did they take pay cuts, layoffs or alike?

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. We're marching on Wall St. this Thursday, May 12.

http://www.onmay12.org/

Boomberg has a 3.2 B. surplus.......or "reserve" fund, as he puts it.

Maybe Obama will come to speak at the rally? Or other leaders of the national party?

Tee-hee.

We're on our own, folks.

[Citizen Worker]

4. Can't help but think that things may have turned out differently had WI and MI held general strikes?

It may too late now that our Fascist overlords have the momentum on their side. It looks like New Yorkers are on their own.

[madrchsod]

6. a general strike would`t be as effective as wisconsin`s people`s revolt

if citizens of new york city want their services then take to the streets ,organize,and put the elected officials on notice.

there are at least 12 websites devoted to the recall and other political action devoted solely to wisconsin.

how many does new york city have?

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Point. n/t

[Kolesar]

5. Families lose one income, cut back on purchases of clothes and applicances,

...and the economy slows down as a result.

[WinkyDink]

7. Cutting fire companies? I guess he's depending on no more 9/11s.

[tblue37]

10. This is exactly the point:

- CHARTER SCHOOLS GET AN ADDITIONAL $139 MILLION.

The just want to privatize everything so well-connected cronies an make even more money.

[Starry Messenger]

11. Private fire companies are probably coming next.

Some small cities out here are starting to do that. Welcome to pay as you go emergency services.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. And what's infuriating is that NOT REFUNDING the state's tax

on Wall Street transactions would put New York State into surplus.

[RebelOne]

13. Same thing happening here in Georgia.

They are closing schools everywhere, cutting fire and police department employees and eliminating a lot of bus routes that many people in the Atlanta area depend upon for transportation to and from work.

[theophilus]

14. Bloomberg could make up the difference out of his wallet! What a jerk. n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

15. Last line explains all. nt