Mayor Franklin held a news conference July 16, 2008 to indicate the most recent job layoff’s and budget cuts. Although she did not recommend the 2.5% cuts, she added, her advice from the former CFO Janice Davis recommended reduction of more than the 14.6 million needed. The cuts will be 21.6 million from the General Fund to help expected short falls in Revenue during FY09 per Mayor Franklin.

Mayor Franklin will remove 190 positions, every department funded by the general fund will be impacted she said, however Watershed, Solid Waste, and Aviation funds will not be apart of the cuts as well Park Improvements, due to having their own funding the Mayor announced. The bottom line is 165 positions will be cut- 72 filled position and 93 vacant positions.

Some members have enjoyed the special benefits of being a PACE Member, while others have not yet explored the additional benefits offered to members.

Here are additional benefits offered to you as a valued union member.

The Atlanta City Council members voted on Friday June 27, 2008, to have the mayor cut about 14.6 million from the budget for FY09  effective July 1, 2008 according to Eric Stirgus (Atlanta Journal Constitution July 01, 2008)

Department directors have already begun to put their heads together with their staff to work on proposals to cut their budget (AJC 2008) as recommended by Mayor Franklin in her letter addressed to Cabinet Members. Even though job cuts seem imminent, Councilman Howard Shook, Chairman of the Council’s Finance/Executive Committee said, there are more than 300 unfilled positions with about $13 million set aside to pay those employees (AJC 2008) that can be eliminated. Councilman Ceasar Mitchell said, “I think there are a lot of places to cut before you start cutting personnel” per Eric Stirgus. AJC.com (AJC news story)

“To balance the budget on the backs of employees is irresponsible, when they were offered an alternative of a modest tax increase in an effort to preserve gains in public safety and to maintain core services. The Council had the authority to do this but it is an unwise business decision and represents one of the worst public policy decisions I have seen in my 20 year professional career and it will have negative ramifications for the quality of life for the people of Atlanta.”

Pace Attorneys will address the Civil Service Board on Monday June 16, 2008 at 9:00 am, on the behalf of all Parking Meter Officials, to include Reduction- In- Force (RIF) Parking Meter personnel. PACE legal team will address the city's Ordinance Sec. 114-384. (Ord. No. 2007-22(07-O-2700), § 1, 3-27-07) This ordinance emphasizes on privatizing the Parking Meter Service by legislative action from the City Council. The argument from PACE Attorney's will be the RIF’s of personnel in order to use private vendors without legislation from the City Council. Pace Attorney’s goal is to win this case at the Civil Service Meeting, and reverse the city's decision , by returning workers to the City of Atlanta payroll with full back wages.

http://seiu.org/media/pressreleases.cfm?pr_id=1675

PACE Arrives in San Juan Puerto Rico

Per New Release from SEIU- Thousands of workers from around the world arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico for SEIU's first "Green" Convention. PACE President Gina Pagnotta is one of nearly 2000 delegates from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to Vote on "Justice for All" Platform Proposals to Improve Workplaces and Communities.

Arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico the Members were met with a Banner that read:

"Justice for All" "Justicia para Todas"

Union Members not at the 2009 Budget Briefing- PACE on Wednesday May, 21, 2009 can review the address on the City Council website at http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/video.htm

Budget Hearings Part2 (click on Part2).

Several issues were discussed at the 2009 Budget Briefing. PACE presented issues important to City of Atlanta Employees and Union Members. Gina Pagnotta PACE President open the address by announcing how much PACE supports the City Council, and how PACE supports employees Rights, Benefits, Pension Plans and more. Ms. Pagnotta informed the council; PACE requested the City Administration to consider several other options instead of RIF Action, such as Furloughs and Early Retirements, reduction in pay and demotions. PACE believed these options would keep more personnel on the cities payroll. The Administration advised PACE Furloughs did not offer enough of a budget cut to be considered, and Early Retirements were not in the City Policies.