Post by TW on Oct 14, 2009 8:18:57 GMT -5
Rockford has had job losses that rival anywhere in the nation over the years. It was a machine-tool city that actually lost all those jobs, but found others to replace them as they went along, although, not as high paying.
But now, with the area's future on the line, the city took a bold step forward. Instead of reducing the number of firemen on a truck from four to three, the union stepped in with the city, and the firemen themselves agreed to a pay freeze for two or three years, and to having three days off per month, without pay. They were able to keep over 30 firemen that would have been laid off. Of course the city made concessions on budget as well to get there.
Then an issue came up about city employees in various areas, including garbage pick-up. They stood to lose over 30 jobs in that area s well. Instead of just dumping 30 employees out the door, they opted to raise garbage collection fees to $14 compared to the present $11, and it was enough to gain stability for the next several years. It also meant city employees gave up raises in the future.
What we have here is the first step being made by everyone towards getting to a balanced budget, and at the same time, saving jobs.
I was talking to a bean counter out here, and he estimated that the total jobs "saved" by these moves was at least 100, including those of the city employees, and Firemen. He also estimated that we're talking sales tax alone because of it, that would exceed the cost of at least six of these employees wages, and that even the housing market, and essentially every other market, would benefit, including the schools.
His projection, over a five-year period, was that the city itself would actually receive 100% return on it's investment, plus a small profit in where they stand financially, compared to where they do today, because of the flow of cash in the community.
It's time for people to start looking at ways they can save our industrial base in a similar manner. Everyone has to pull together, and corporations have to be told that they'll be paying a penalty, if they decide they want to opt for "cheaper labor" in another country. It's time we start to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. Obviously the business world won't. Their only interest is profits "now," to satisfy stockholders, who could care less about the future, just their own pockets.
But now, with the area's future on the line, the city took a bold step forward. Instead of reducing the number of firemen on a truck from four to three, the union stepped in with the city, and the firemen themselves agreed to a pay freeze for two or three years, and to having three days off per month, without pay. They were able to keep over 30 firemen that would have been laid off. Of course the city made concessions on budget as well to get there.
Then an issue came up about city employees in various areas, including garbage pick-up. They stood to lose over 30 jobs in that area s well. Instead of just dumping 30 employees out the door, they opted to raise garbage collection fees to $14 compared to the present $11, and it was enough to gain stability for the next several years. It also meant city employees gave up raises in the future.
What we have here is the first step being made by everyone towards getting to a balanced budget, and at the same time, saving jobs.
I was talking to a bean counter out here, and he estimated that the total jobs "saved" by these moves was at least 100, including those of the city employees, and Firemen. He also estimated that we're talking sales tax alone because of it, that would exceed the cost of at least six of these employees wages, and that even the housing market, and essentially every other market, would benefit, including the schools.
His projection, over a five-year period, was that the city itself would actually receive 100% return on it's investment, plus a small profit in where they stand financially, compared to where they do today, because of the flow of cash in the community.
It's time for people to start looking at ways they can save our industrial base in a similar manner. Everyone has to pull together, and corporations have to be told that they'll be paying a penalty, if they decide they want to opt for "cheaper labor" in another country. It's time we start to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. Obviously the business world won't. Their only interest is profits "now," to satisfy stockholders, who could care less about the future, just their own pockets.
