As if COVID-19 wasn’t enough for municipal employees to worry about, now there are rumblings of possible furloughs and layoffs being tossed around.
Not shocking; something has to give when you decrease the tax revenue while having to provide additional ambulances, personal protective equipment (PPE) to all employees, cover sick employees with overtime resources, among other things.
But hopefully you’ve followed my discussions regarding taking city exams, the advantages of permanent status and have taken action. After all, as the saying goes, your best defense is a good offense.
Because when it comes to furloughs and layoffs, your city civil service status and union will be the defense portion of your forward actions.
DC37 has it spelled out in good general terms here: “Layoffs of competitive class employees in the same title must take place in the following order: provisionals, probationers, permanents.”
I’m not trying to be an alarmist here, but when your bosses, bosses, bosses, bosses, boss (the Mayor) talks about furloughs and layoffs, wherever you might be in the food chain, you should know your facts and protections.
DC37 Citywide Contract
For DC37 union members, that would be in the citywide contract – yes the same 1995-2001 Citywide Contract (Still in Effect). The provisions are under “ARTICLE XVII – JOB SECURITY” starting on page 46.
There are a lot of gory details in there and we won’t be going over them in detail, but if you start hearing about the possibilities of layoffs and/or furloughs within your organization, you should begin by reading the details and contacting your shop steward or local officers for any updates. The union will be notified by your agency of the titles that will be affected and the number of employees under consideration.
There are several discussions that have to take place and procedures that need to be followed prior to any layoff. That’s why it’s easier for the city to cut non-union managers – they have no protections. The NYCMEA is not much more than a prisoner trustee for the managers and have little power to stop any layoff or furlough actions against them. I spoke of the Health + Hospital managers that were laid off a few years ago – it was easier to let them go rather than get into a complicated situation with the union.
However, these times are a bit more trying. When the layoff discussion includes police officers, firefighters, and EMS, their support teams (mechanics, office support, maintenance personnel) are most likely in the crosshairs as well.
Early Buyouts, Probably Not
There may be other ways to handle it. The city might offer an early buyout for employees almost ready for retirement. This will pare things down a bit. I wouldn’t necessarily believe it – there hasn’t been a real buyout offered since, probably, 1995-1996 (the one in 2010 was only offered to select agencies). But these are different times. I wouldn’t think it would make a dent in the shortfall and the city would lose experienced workers (I know, bah humbug to me for those looking to get out early).
So, know the facts, and know who you need to contact should the situation take another turn for the worse and the discussions of furloughs and layoffs get too close for comfort.
Questions and comments are welcomed here.
