Unions fight against more layoffs in Aurora

The thought of laying off 63 employees Thursday still weighing on their minds, Aurora officials were confronted Tuesday by union representatives hoping to prevent any future bloodletting.

Dozens of green-shirt-wearing members of AFSCME Local 3298, which lost 38 members in Thursday layoffs, packed the council chamber while four presented the council with suggestions for other cost-saving methods aimed at saving their jobs in the future.

Among the suggestions lobbied for included the elimination of subcontracted cleaning crews, seasonal employees, "unnecessary" cell phones for office personnel, professional memberships and subscriptions and a bevy of employee perks including education stipends.

Suggestions also included the addition of or increase of several city fees including permit fees and booking fees at the police department.

"We have given more than our fair share and it is long overdue for the city to start looking elsewhere to balance the budget and use the taxpayers' money appropriately," said union President Krista Heinke. "Individually these ideas may sound like small potatoes but added together they can make a large impact."

Before he was interrupted by the about half of the union members walking out and reminding him that he had passed the 3 minute time limit allowed for public speakers, Weisner attempted to answer questions and stated some of the suggestions were actually being put to use.

"There certainly are some positive approaches and we've noticed that business at the suggestion box was booming here of late," Weisner said. "Some of those ideas, which were repeated tonight, have already been implemented and others will be, going forward."

As he called on the union, which consists of clerical positions, inspectors, planners and accountants to "do their share," members began fleeing to the exits.

"Three minutes!" one yelled as she exited.

"We all listened to you folks and now you don't want to listen to us? That's not very good sportsmanship is it?" Weisner said. "I think I've used my three minutes and I will now end my comments."

With Thursday's layoffs, the city now has reduced its work force by 100, including 37 employees who took voluntary buyouts that become effective later this month.

Thursday's cuts are expected to save the city nearly $3 million - just one step in addressing next year's anticipated $19 million budget deficit.

Before the personnel reductions, the city employed roughly 1,100 workers, 900 of whom are represented by bargaining groups. Both union and nonunion employees received layoff notices as follows: 21 employees from the nonunion executive and nonexempt classifications; 16 full-time employees from AFSCME Local 3298, which consists of clerical positions, inspectors, planners and accountants; and four full-time employees from AFSCME Local 1514, which includes public works and water and sewer maintenance employees.

At the end of the meeting, Ninth Ward Alderman Leroy Keith chastised fellow alderman who he accused of leaking the layoffs to the newspapers, allowing the story to be in the headlines Thursday as employees arrived to work.

"It was disturbing to me that three alderman had discussions with this reporter even though we all really know that we're not supposed to," Keith said. "Although there's no statutory sanctions for aldermen for disclosing information that is discussed in executive session, I think it is our responsibility to the public we serve to honor that sanctity and secrecy of the executive session."