Emanuel sends layoff notices to city workers in union showdown

[The Northerner]

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is sending layoff notices to about 625 city of Chicago employees and delaying 61 blocks of curb and gutter improvements and 76 blocks of sidewalk repairs after union leaders didn’t agree to work-rule changes the mayor wants or offer alternate ways to cut costs by a deadline on Friday.

“My duty as mayor is to protect our city’s taxpayers and be their voice — not to protect the city’s payroll,” Emanuel said at a City Hall news conference on Friday. “No amount of smoke and mirrors can put off the tough decisions any longer.”

The layoffs — which Emanuel said will save roughly $12 million — target 75 percent cut of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s “seasonal” workforce, as well as custodians at O’Hare Airport, Midway Airports and the city’s public libraries; and workers who run the city’s water-bill call center and manage city benefits.

The transportation department layoffs will be begin immediately. As a result, city curb and gutter repairs are being put off until next year.

Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/6525711-417/emanuel-sends-layoff-notices-to-city-workers-in-union-showdown.html

[KoKo]

1. Not surprising....

[madrchsod]

2. gee.... that`s going to show them he`s a tough guy.......

pissing off the neighborhoods because the curbs and gutters aren`t repaired will not be popular.

there`s a lot of folks who think rahm walks on the chicago river and there`s others that wish he would try....

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. I was in Chicago a week ago for a teachers union conference

The Chicago teachers were telling us about meeting with Rahm during his campaign. The union was vetting all the candidates. They said Rahm came in with an obnoxious attitude telling them what he expected from them once he became mayor. He didn't ask them for their votes or an endorsement. He just lectured them. The teachers were clearly not impressed.

[amborin]

3. Rahm worked as a corporate raider on Wall St for years, made $18 Mill

[mod mom]

5. That why people shouldn't vote brands but individuals.

[mrmpa]

4. Can he be recalled?? eom

[rhett o rick]

7. Chicago's own Scott Walker, union buster. nm