Staring down the barrel of steep budget cuts, Orange County’s largest public union, the Orange County Employees Association, wants to get ahead with its own preemptive strike: Let’s all take a week of unpaid time off between Christmas and New Year’s.
At a morning news conference, union General Manager Nick Berardino estimated that if all of the county’s 18,000 employees took the offer, they could save as much as $20 million.
Check out the online story here.
Berardino also confirmed that the first round of layoffs at the county has begun. Yesterday, he said that managers from the Social Services Agency informed union leaders that 124 jobs are going to be cut.
Just to put that number into context, we reported a few weeks ago that county supervisors had to make painful cuts at park facilities just to squeak out $32 million in cuts for the current fiscal year.
The question Berardino posed is, how many top managers at the county will agree to the vacation?
Berardino already has his own idea.
“Every executive manager should take a week,” he said. Berardino added that county CEO Tom Mauk should even consider more than five days off without pay.
“It will be up to Mauk to set the tone for the rest of his executive team,” he said.
So far, Berardino is not upbeat about partnering with county managers. Even though county supervisors asked staff to meet with unions about cost-cutting measures last week, there’s been no collaboration.
Berardino said that lack of openness and teaming up to find cuts is eerily reminiscent of the 1994 bankruptcy, where county leaders did little to avoid job cuts in a proactive way.
“There ought to be some butt-kicking. That’s for sure,” Berardino said at his news conference when asked about the lack of collaboration after the supervisors directed staff to get going.
And he didn’t hesitate to point fingers:
“The CEO is responsible, ultimately,” he said.
Sounds good. Lets have all of the firefighters, jail deputies and patrol deputies take the time off.
Does the County need CEO Mauk? Doesn’t he do the Supervisor’s job? Let’s make the Supervisors do their own job and fire Mauk. Or replace one of the Sups with Mauk. I don’t care which Sup., they are all in WAY over their heads.
5 days off without pay is not enough. I want all 18,000 county’s employees to match the US Auto Industry workers that have agreed to take 4 weeks off witout pay. If all 18,000 country workers agree this could save as much as $80 million.
Today’s government unemployment report showed the biggest month of job losses in 34 years. Our country’s unemployed workers jumped to 6.1% and the number is expect to grow to 12% in the next year.
Someone from our great county suggested that the US Auto Industry workers “Pay and benefits must mirror the competition”.
There are alot of government workers in India and China that work for $2 dollors a day. Can I suggest we replace our current county workers with workers from one of these country’s.
Somewhere in the world someone else is doing the same job you are. Some get paid penny’s a day and some get one dollar. Be careful what you ask another person to give up, someone will ask you to do the same.
Stop giving up US jobs so fast. You will find yourself without one.
Let’s have the SUPERVISORS take a week off without pay the regular employees are having a hard enough time without any overtime and christmas around the corner. The SUPERVISORS get paid 6 figures and get to drive county cars they can afford a WEEK WITHOUT PAY
Have all County employees take a month off without pay? I’m sure a monkey could do your job too Mark. Get a life. Are you sad that you lost your sub-prime mortgage job too so you take it out on public employees?
Fantastic idea!! The idea that it is voluntary makes it more appealing. This is a real chance to save some money, but don’t expect County managers to work through the weekend.
IF ALLL COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE TO TAKE A WHOLE YEAR OFF, I AM SURE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
Have the people on top give up their last pay raises they gave them selves maybe a small pay cut or 2 days a month off, for all management, and we would not have as many up coming new foreclosures and other job loss because no one has any money to spend to keep anything else going in the area. The more people out of work the longer this is going to continue.
Why doesn’t the county have it’s agencies like SSA, etc. Go to a 4-10 schedule with everyone off on either mon or fri? They would save a whole lot of $$$$ on heating, AC, electric, etc costs. Maybe not enough to save the county, but every little bit helps.
And you think things will get better with Obama in office?! Ha! That fool wants to tax this country out of debt and any thinking person knows that cannot be done. This is just the start of the fall. Crime will rise greatly as a result of this country falling all over itself and not being able to get back up anytime soon. Now more than ever we need cops out there doing their job without anything holding them back. With county cuts happening the next logical step is to reduce police patrols which I find to be redicules.
Here we go, whats good for one is not good for all.
Are we saying regular employees from OC are different then regular employees that work in Tupelo Mississippi that make %27 less money?
Fire all OC employees and replace them with county workers from Tupelo Mississippi that work for less.
Just like all in OC are doing to our US auto Industy. China and Japan workers are paied less, so all US works should get paid less.
OC workers, teachers and anyone that works in OC need to take a pay cut because their “Pay and benefits must mirror the competition”.
OC asked for this.
So does that include the inept Supervisors, and all officials that are making over 100K?
Probably not. LAME LAME LAME
Finally, someone comes up with a constructive idea and actually does something positive. Unfortunately, it wasn’t County leadership. Again, another let down in a series of many lately. If the County fails to make this happen, sadly, it wouldn’t be inconsistent with their track record of failures to the public.
All gubmint workers(?), and elected legislatators, should work three 40 hour weeks a month, rotating the shifts so the offices are open at the most convient times for us, their employers.
Am I supposed to be impressed? I am sure the majority of these people already take this week off, and they will be using their (vacation time) thus they can say they are not getting paid, since it is reserved money off the payroll. Our employer is forcing us to use our vacation time during this week and if you don’t have enough, they will borrow from your future earned vacation accrual.
Just fancy union talk.
1 week down, 51 to go.
Bunch that could NEVER make it in the real world.
Reality’s coming schmucks.
I cant wait to get job applications from laid off govt. workers.
can you say minimum wage?
MARK, ITS NOT THE COUNTY WORKERS THAT GOT US INTO THIS MESS. WHY SHOULD WE BE FORCED TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK WITHOUT PAY? I HAVE A HOUSE PAYMENT TOO!
The supervisors are on salary and they should take it off without pay as well.
This Bernadino guy sounds like he hears the train whistle and is telling his employees to start moving off the tracks. I give him credit for that. Most of the union thugs wouldn’t say a thing until the train has already passed and hundreds of victims are scattered all around. Good for Nick! Might not be a bad idea for him to start talking with the county execs about returning to the bargaining table to accept some voluntary cutbacks in wages and benefits. Trust me, it would go a long, long way to build goodwill when the economy implodes and it’s time for the involuntary cutbacks. That would be the smart thing to do. My only question is what would stop the workers from taking leave over the holidays and collect a normal paycheck which most would probably do. Those without the leave built up would probably tell Nick to pound sand. Well, we’ll see how this turns out. At least they are thinking in advance and I have to give them their due credit for that.
Working in local government like any other job is a choice. Most people that choose local government do so, because of the presumed job security, the good benefits, and generous retirement plans. Most of the jobs in local government pay far less than those in corporate America, they dont get bonuses, or are able to participate in profit sharing, etc. When times are good, those that work in the private sector tend to fair much better than those in the public sector. When times are bad, those in the private sector tend to lose their jobs and those in public sector do not.
These are some of the main reasons people choose to work in local government.
I know for a fact that most of those that work in Social Services are not paid as well as many may think. They do have many benefits that are better than those in the private sector, but dollar for dollar, the private sector tends to do just a bit better…..Now with layoffs approaching, you are removing a bit of that job security that is a main attraction to public service. I say public service, because most that work in local government do enjoy serving the public. Especially, those that work in Social Services.
These folks in social services are the ones that making sure that children and the elderly are safe and not abused. It is a much needed and under appreciated profession. The things these folks see and have to do is amazing…I doubt many of you would do the same for the same pay. If you want it, go spend 4-10 years in school and go for it.
I think a week off without pay is a good solution to keep jobs…but large layoffs and months of work with out pay is not a good solution to keep the children and elderly safe in Orange County.
Samson
“Working in local government like any other job is a choice. Most people that choose local government do so, because of the presumed job security, the good benefits, and generous retirement plans. Most of the jobs in local government pay far less than those in corporate America, they dont get bonuses, or are able to participate in profit sharing, etc. When times are good, those that work in the private sector tend to fair much better than those in the public sector. When times are bad, those in the private sector tend to lose their jobs and those in public sector do not.
These are some of the main reasons people choose to work in local government.”
Very true & a great post, however when the the private sector starts to lose there jobs they look right back to the Government employees & say “Look at those rich folks over there they get to keep there nice jobs!” I’m sorry for ANYONE that loses there job it’s simply horrible. But the public should NOT take it out on the rank & file workers.
To funny how fast we change our minds when it comes to our own jobs. We say thing like, it’s not the OC workers that got us into this mess why should they have to sacrifice.
We just slapped the lights out of our US Auto Industry workers telling every last one of them they must sacrifice. We told them they were all morons and they are scum of the earth. We have insisted their “Pay and benefits must mirror the competition”
I have to agree with the comments from Mark and Frank here.
There are more students on the Honor Roll in China and Japan then we have students in the US. Their workers are well educated and would make excellent teachers and county workers.
We need to replace our teachers and county workers with workers from India that will work for $2 a day. The very least we need to fire all OC workers and replace them with workers from Tupelo Mississippi that make %27.
Pay and benefits must mirror the competition” for all workers in OC
We must walk like we talk and make the same sacrifice’s we just told the US Auto Industry to do.
Somewhere in the world someone else is doing the same job you are. Some get paid penny’s a day and some get one dollar. Be careful what you ask the US Auto Industry to give up, someone will ask you to do the same.
Stop giving up US jobs so fast. You will find yourself without one.
Here comes the hate for the government workers. I’m pretty sure we all know why you people hate government employees. You couldn’t land a job in some form of government because you couldn’t fill out your application correctly, or you’re upset that your crappy job doesn’t offer the benefits government workers have.
samson you’re dilusional. Orange County has a financial responsiblilty to its taxpayers. Things are out of control and Orange County should lay off thousands of these public employees. Many of them have never worked a real 40 hour work week.
How would you like to be asked to take a week off without pay? Are you able to afford it? Why should county employees get paid less when Orange County is one of the most expensive places to live? You are all obviously living in a bubble and don’t really get what is going on.
I know some great county employees who work hard everyday. It is unfortunate that a few have given the rest a bad name. Let’s appreciate those county workers who do put in a honest day’s work and stop bashing them. What is your work ethic?
The only solution to the problems in OC and at the state level are for the higher ups to put their money where there mouth is. Instead of just mandating job cuts and pay freezes and benefit reductions for all the front line staff, the cuts need to be imposed ACROSS THE BOARD from the state legislators down the guy who mops floors at the local school. The amount of money we pay for the overwhelming number of legislators and county supervisors and city board members and all the other overlapping governmental bodies is just mind boggling.
Immediately the cars we buy for the use of these supervisors and legislators needs to be charged back to those who use them. Let them take the mileage reimbursement like everyone else and get rid of state, county and city fleets. The gross misappropriation of our tax dollars surely must be legal highway robbery.
We need to drastically cut the number of state “independent” boards and board members, then drastically cut what they are paid and what crazy benefits they are paid. There is SO much fat in the system but everyone in control is doing everything in their power to protect that at the expense of jobs for people in contact with the taxpayers that are actually contributing a service. Stop this fraud and abuse or else we will see a ton of people migrating to cheaper states and countries.
There seems to be some confusion about the proposal by the union. This is a voluntary program which is attempting to save the County some money. If employees happen to be on vacation already during the program period they would elect to take a few of those days off WITHOUT being paid. This is County employees VOLUNTARILY stepping up and sacrificing their pay so some of their fellow coworkers will not be laid off. Think what you like about County employees but I am perplexed as to how anyone could object to this. This is not AIG having a resort weekend or automobile executives taking Lear jets to ask for a bailout. How many Wall Street or sub prime mortgage company employees offered to do this? The difference is that the vast majority of County employees have dedicated their careers to public service. The County elected officials and managers are standing idly by like deer stuck in headlights and bringing back bad memories of their ineptitude during the 1994 bankruptcy.
I agree that they have to be, financially responsible to taxpayers. There are cuts that should be made and sacrifices that should be made. I work in local government and have had to make sacrifices, do some job sharing and even change jobs in order to help balance the budget. I would go further to accept a 10% pay cut if it meant keeping my job. I believe most government workers would do the same.
The thing with government work is that the public wants their streets safe and clean, and lights to work, parks mowed, their neighbors house maintained, their children educated, the list goes on and on. These services must be paid for.
Most of the jobs in local government require a Bachelors degree or better….and like I said, the pay isnt necessarily as good as it for the same job in the private sector when times are good.
I work hard at what I do, I enjoy serving the public, and I have a desire to try to make life better for the residents I serve….but again these things cost money.
You remove the benefits and the decent pay that these folks receive, the quality of service will follow.
You just cant have it all….it will take hard work to keep the level of services that the public demands under this current economic crisis. Some patience on the part of the public is needed to be sure that there isnt an overreaction and too many good people are out of work.
chop from the top. good job mr. B.
All of these people knocking the average county employee, it is the private sector that is responsible for this mortage meltdown.
San Juan Capistrano’s two associations covering employees agreed to take 44 hours of unpaid leave over the holidays. It will save the city $150,000.
The city faces at least $2 million — 10 percent — in shortfalls, so employees say they hope everyone taking a little hit will save a couple of jobs.
Here’s the story:
http://thecapistranodispatch.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=724&cntnt01returnid=15
Yeah!! I absolutely LOVE the idea of the county’s firefighters, jail deputies, and all other deputies take some non-paid leave too.. Actually, why not take a step further, encuraging those same groups of way over-paid “servants” to make some permanent concessions: annual salary cuts and roll back a large portion of their pensions too would be a nice start. I know alot of other people In Orange County also really resent how much capitol outlay each year these ‘dedicated’ public servants represent… the dollar amount is simply is staggering and outrageous!
nick bernadino, here we go again..You have been strong arming the county for years to get higher and higher wages for the ‘union worker” and now it has returned to bite you…hey take some of the dues we pay you and save a job! how about your ocea stewards thier the cream of the crop when it comes to the under performers! Nick the supervisors work hard especiallly when they have to deal with your group of stewards. you keep “entitling” and helping to keep the worst of the worst! I say lets cut them and get a new union!
I just can’t believe how some people just don’t get it.Trying to help can’t hurt.Stop pointing fingers and start helping out. Not everyone has the luxury of taking non paid time off…some us are also students and are also being hit with school cuts as well.
If the county is in need of cutting back than there is a lot more that can be done. 1) all of the people that make the six figures should cut their pay for the month down to what the lowest county employee makes. 2) Going to a 4/10 schedule I believe would make a big difference in the cost of what it takes to have the offices open for one day.
What makes me laugh is that some management seem to think that having a 4/10 schedule that work would never get done. What they do not seem to understand is whether its a 4/10 or 5/8’s you are still getting 40 hours a week out of a person. If people have a Friday off, they work harder to get the work done before their day off so that they can relax. You get better shift coverage on a 4/10 type work week as well so overtime is less. When people work an 8 hr day and there is still a lot to do, than does it make sense to charge overtime when if you extended a schedule you wouldn’t have to.
Trying to help can’t hurt.Stop pointing fingers and start helping out. Not everyone has the luxury of taking non paid time off…some us are also students and are also being hit with school cuts as well.
Apparently this is one more example of the County government demonstrating their lack of leadership while the leading union in the county demonstrates LEADERSHIP. OCEA is once again showing initiative in addressing what will be or has already become a very difficult economic situation by asking county employees and managers if any of them are able and willing to volunteer to take some time off during the holidays without pay. This has a potential cost savings of $20,000,000. Let us see if any of the “alleged” leaders in the County step up to this plate.
Has anyone stopped to think of what it will cost them in tax’s for more people to collect unemployment, food stamps and welfare?
How many of you loud mouthy people see the Board of Supervisors out driving around in their county issued cars, picking up the tab for a meal that was not county business, but monkey business? A lot of you do. Walk up to them and ask if what the spend could help pay for a few school books.
Has everyone forgotten that their taxe’s are spent on trips for the B/d and management? Have you forgotten the money that was spent on giving Mr. Street his “Wall Street” office or the computer system that failed?
People wake up! It’s not the employees of the county that is to blame here, it’s the stupid B/S and management spending the money. Trips, meals, county cars, gas and trying to look like they are someone.
Herd insticts draw conclusions. CEO Muck and the Board of Supervisors, Moorlack, Cambull, Norbee, Baits, Newwin, want you to point fingers at each other, muddy the waters, quibble over the small peice of pie that they have set out for you. Time to pull the blinders off. Shared responsibility by both sides, employees and employer , will create solutions to solve the dire budget problems. Nick Berardino has put forward a legitate offer of a $20 million dollar savings to the county. We, the tax payers of this county are waitung to see if the CEO and the BOS are serious about solving the current budget problem or have they lost all dignity of humanity.
Where is the Board Chairman Moorlach on this issue? He brays on and on about himself endlessly, but here’s a chance to show leadership and he’s not to be heard from!
Stop whining about losing your jobs. Yesterday you thought nothing about telling the hard working American Auto Industry people to go just off a cliff . You thought nothing about them losing their jobs, their homes and the impact it would have on their familys.
Stop the bleeding heart storys, about how hard you work, or how much you enjoy serving the public. Yesterday you did not care about anyone, and for sure you did not care about the US Auto Industry worker. Not one of you from OC stood behind them and offered them suport. Instead OC said, let them go bankrupt, let them lose their jobs, we will buy cars form Japan because we do not care.
Fire all OC employees and replace them with county workers from Tupelo Mississippi that work for 27% less.
Fire OC teachers and anyone else that works in OC. Replace them with people from Japan, China and India that all work for less.
You slapped the US Auto Industry workers silly the last 2 weeks. You told them they were all morons and they are the scum of the earth. You told them they deserved to be replaced by Japan, China, Korea
So tell me why should anyone care about you or your job.
Have you been to the County offices lately? Looks like we already hired from India and China.
If the county wants to cut back expenses the last place they should be looking is at the wages of the county employees. The week off without pay would mean that on the first of January, welfare checks would be delayed, as well as all other services. The people that need help the most would be the ones that are hurt. The budget hasn’t even been approved by the State, so there is only speculation as to what will be cut. I would be interested in what positions Mr. Berdarnino feels needs to be cut. If the budget for social services must be cut, the agency should start by cutting all of the aid to illegal aliens. They don’t contribute anything to our economy, and this is one more drain they place on the taxpaying American. Most other states cut these programs years ago. That is one of the reasons that California has such a large population of illegals. Stop giving our resources to people that are breaking our laws and hurting our American citizens.
Bravo to OCEA for looking for solutions! i wonder when the County will present any significant and new ideas! Eighteen thousand County employees are listening!
it’s good to see a union that wants to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. we can only hope the County responds for once in a positive way.
Berardino is right! You can’ keep your head in the sand and expect to save jobs. You have to face the facts and act. If anyone doesn’t believe there is an economic meltdown going on; they have been in a cave. A voluntary program helps folks and it doesn’t force those who can’t afford to help to participate. Go Nick !!!!!
It’s time to think outside the box! OCEA and the county employees seem to be doing just that. Good job!
I think being proactive in asking county employees who can afford to voluntarily take a few days off without pay, so that many other employees will not be laid off, is great idea! I am sure there are many county employees who would like to help their fellow employees. With the number people being laid off right now, it is nice to see people organizing themselves to help keep jobs!
I do not believe it is in the best interest of Tom Mauk or the County to worry about who developed what plan. If we are going to make it out of this with minimal job losses then everyone from Tom Mauk down will have to take of some level.
County Employee Union has stepped up to the plate to offer solutions. Now is not the time to cut jobs, now is the time to cut waste and spending. It is time that the Supervisors look at spending cuts and eliminating management positions that are redundant or overpaid, starting with the CEO pay and perks. The Board Members should do the same. OCEA has always come up with solutions; union is doing the Managements job!
To Dave: Stop pretending to know what most of us in OC think or feel. OC County employees work hard to provide services to people in need and they do it in a professional and caring manner. People like you are the main recipients of our services, especially mental health assistance.
The main issue for us is that County management is asking the little guys to take paycuts, furloughs, and give up benefits while they themselves collect a 2% pay raise in January and a 3% raise in July. Managers also have car allowances, full retirement, and pay very little for health benefits. SSA management is so top heavy that if a few would be willing to give up their scheduled raises or volunteered to be laidoff, it would save some lower classes from layoffs.
Clearly Tom Mauk has no interest in actually working to solve problems. What does he care, he got his big fat raise (I think it was around 12%) and extension of his contract. He and his senior executive managers have only one song in their book. They do not want to explore new ideas, they think layoffs are the only answer.
My guess is they would sing a different toon if the proposal was to layoff several dozen managers making in excess of 100K a year. OCEA makes the unprecedented offer of voluntary time off without pay after waiting for weeks for Mauk to agree to disuss solutions, and Mauk calls it grandstanding?!!!
In December of 1994 County executive managers kept telling County workers everything was okay; nothing to worry about; no layoffs expected. Then they turned around hours later and tried to void all labor agreements by declaring an emergency.
Hey Tom! Exactly how long do you want us to sit by the phone waiting for your call? County workers want to protect their jobs AND ensure that vital public services continue to be provided to Orange County residents.
Our County moto is OC: Our Community/Our Commitment. County workers are willing to step up to the plate and offer real solutions. Hey Tom! What’s in your wallet?
Chris,
Tell us why we should keep you on the payroll. You basically sit at your desk all day with no work or duties assigned to you. You have no college degree, have no clear job description, you basically take up space so we dont have to go through a lawsuit with you.
So maybe we should eliminate that burden by laying you off. Thats a 70K annual savings to the county if we do that.
I thought I’d add a little personal perspective to this debate. I was just terminated from my gov’t job with O.C., which I had taken as a choice because of the award I felt from public service even though it meant a pay cut of over 50 percent from my private counsel job. When terminated, I didn’t even get the money I was owed or my vacation time as required by state law. Although I understood the budgetary reasons behind this, it’s hard not to feel embittered when you’re terminated w/o prior notice of any disciplinary action, and aren’t even given the chance to say goodbye to your co-workers…
There are many who consider their government jobs as callings, as most find fulfillment in public service instead of the lavish salaries made by CEOs and those at the top taking kickbacks, like Corona . I just hope my co-workers are able to deal with the increased work load (to pretty absurd levels) that’s already resulting from the hiring freeze, and the layoffs, which have started to occur little by little to avoid more bad press. Unfortunately, although I normally worked 50 to 60 hour weeks and was generally appreciated, if not admired, by my colleagues, superiors, and the OC residents I represented, now I have to deal with being terminated (without cause) instead of being laid off…and have to wait for EDD to finally process my 2 week old claim for benefits.
Just like the big 3, the fat should be cut from the top down with salary cuts for those making 6 figures plus before laying off loyal county workers making less than half that…or at least foregoing their scheduled 5 percent increase in salaries for next year before making OCEA families are forced to forgo Christmas this year…and maybe the board could think of increasing real estate taxes on multi-million dollar mansions to make up the rest of the budget shortfall. Then maybe they won’t have to make cuts when they’re understaffed by 400 deputies already in the jails. (Which is just going to result in additional complaints and budget shortfalls about additional overtime…at least they’re lucky enough to be eligible).
Why?
1) Why are we trying to keep everyone employed? Why don’t we cut the 18,000 in County government to a number we can actually afford?
2) Why don’t we ask the unions to limit demands and accept a contract with no increases in the coming year?
3) Why don’t we ask all employees to waive any negotiated salary increases for the coming year?
4) Why don’t we ask all employees to pay for any benefit increases from their salaries for the coming year?
5) Why don’t we reduce the number of paid holidays?
6) Why don’t we ask the unions to also cut their dues to limit the impact on employees?
A real solution is not a temporary leave. Cut holidays and positions.
Where is the focus on cutting all the unnecessary expenses? I don’t want to support a job bank at the County. Nobody should be guaranteed a job.
Why not…
1) Approve a cut to the number of paid holidays?
2) Ask all employees (management and union) to pay for any benefit increases out of their salaries?
3) Ask all employees (management and union) to take a pay cut, or better yet adopt a contract for next year that would forgo any pay increases?
4) Ask the union to voluntarily cut their dues to make pay cuts less painful to members?
5) Focus on only those jobs needed to provide basic services to County residents and not try to keep everyone employed?
Think what you want about public sector workers, but what’s noteworthy here is that the union and “rank and file workers” are wanting to step up and VOLUNTARILY take a hit before even being asked (or forced) to.
In fact, County employees have a strong history of committing their own resources to help the community and fellow co-workers. Here are a few examples: United Way donations and fundraising, lunchtime mentoring at local schools, donations to food drives and Holiday Hope, and most similar to the issue, significant donations of vacation time to co-workers on “catastrophic leave”. If given the opportunity, employees will do everything they can to help their fellow employees and see that our County’s essential programs and services do not get cut.
Typical, the County goes right to the chopping block to cure budget ills. Why doesn’t it work with the union to come up with viable solutions? The union obviously is willing to at least talk about some sacrifices. If you chop a lot of the employees out, you will cause lot’s of hardship on real people with families and mortgages. Besides that, county services to the citizens will suffer.
Come on people, can’t we work together?
Until County management can set a better example, I have no confidence in its ability to manage this terrible situation and implement strategies that can adapt quickly to budget changes that are out of its direct control. The management processes are so cumbersome, and the thinking is so “old school” that watching them try to maneuver is like watching an elephant try to turn around in a small pen.
And how can they be talking about layoffs when the managers are going to get two separate raises within the next six months? This is unconscionable!
The board of supes and it’s advisors failed to see this mess comming even though many bloggers warned (http://housingpanic.blogspot.com/). They blew it and cuts at the top first makes sense as it saves more money. Fire the board of supervisors starting with their lead member for their shortsighted failures not the rank and file.
Herd Instincts draw conclusions. The CEO and the Board of Supervisors want you point fingers at each other, muddy the water, quibble over the small piece of pie that they have set out for you. Time to pull the blinders off. Shared responsibility by both sides, employees and employer, will create solutions for the dire budget problems. Nick Berardino has offered a legitimate offer of a 20 million dollar savings to the county. We, the tax payers of the county, are waiting to see if the CEO and BOS are serious about solving the budget problems or have they lost all dignity of humanity.
OCEA and the rest of you have not done enough to help our state. Our state is losing $3 Million dollors a day on lost taxes that are not being collected because of the US Auto Industry slow down. You guys really need to follow the example you asked the US Auto Industry workers to do. So cut your wages and take at least 4 week a year off without pay. It’s the new world we live in sorry to say.
Stop saying you can’t afford this and you will lose your home. If you fall behind in your house payments, you will just have to remortgage your home. It’s just part of life in the big city anymore. More and more US workers are embraceing lower wages and work a little longer shifts to make ends meet. I found a 2nd job now and I only have to work one weekend a month. I saw the light and It’s not that big of a deal to me anymore.
Each year $Billions and $Billions leave our country because we are not buying products made by US owned company’s. More and more hard working Americans are losing their jobs. Your job cuts just happen to be next. I can’t say anything else except, sorry it’s not my fault anymore I changed my ways.
It’s called hard love, something you get for turning your back on your nations number one indusrty. We are all going global and now your wages must match the rest of the 3rd worlds country’s you buy your products from. It’s really that simple.
If you say you did not create this, or it’s not your fault. Go out and look in your garage or driveway. If you see somthing that looks like it’s from Germany , Japan or China. I’m sorry you created this and only you can fix this problem you now have.
I learned the hard way myself, and everyone will tell you. Go french kiss the tailpipe on your vehicle made by a foreign auto company. It’s the only love your going to get from anyone in this nation anymore.
Sorry kids, just giving you some real hard facts. I bought my last Toyota last year and went back to US owned and made. I think I’m going to take my new Chevy ZR1 for a ride out route 66 somewhere. Yep, thats what I’m going to do.
Wish I could be of more help America, but I can only buy one new car about every 4 years myself.
Best of luck to all of you, and god bless
This situation is an example of the county not being able to handle crisis. The executive management of the county look foolish, and the union looks reasonable. Asking those who want to help to take a day or more off without pay is a great idea. Its about time we give employees the chance to help get us out of this mess. We know the county cant do it on their own.
I salute the leadership of the biggest Orange County employees union for being proactive and coming up with a constructive solution to solve the county budget problem.
PartyPooper Says:
Have you been to the County offices lately? Looks like we already hired from India and China.
What an stupid statement to make! You make fun of the ethnicity of people working for the County. Why? At least they took the time to take the tests to get their jobs and are willing to put up with all the “poop” and venom that ignorant people like you send their way.
As for those of you who call for the union to cut their dues, OCEA’s dues are the lowest of all OC unions and provide the most services for their members. Also, stop trying to make us feel guilty for the fate of the auto industry. Their employees make far more than the average public servant, even when they are unemployed.
I still fail to see a viable discussion regarding benefit reductions, holiday reductions, flat salaries. Don’t kid us and tell us you will take a voluntary furlough and then request a salary increase. Come on Mr. Beradino, the public is smarter than that.
The reality is that we cannot afford the services we are providing. On a personal note, do you keep buying discretionary items on your personal budget when you know you are overspending? Of course not! This is not rocket science folks.
Panchito
No one was making fun of any of the ethnicity people working anywhere here in the US.
In fact they were pointing out that there are more students on the Honor Roll in China and Japan then we have students in theentire US.
Their workers are well educated, hard working and would make excellent teachers and county workers. No one was making fun of anyone here.
I agree with Mark. It is hard love, something you get for turning your back on your nation. We are all going global and your wages must match the rest of the 3rd worlds country’s you buy stuff from.
You and other did create this. Look in your garage or driveway. You will see somthing that comes from Germany , Japan or China. I’m sorry you created this. The bigger problem can only be fixed by you.
Job losses will keep happeing util we change our ways as a country.
China, Japan, Korea, India and the rest of the world are now in the US. They will stay here in the US until we change our buying habits.
I have also started to buy US made products when I canand I suggest you do the same. It’s hard to do because there’s not much made in the United States anymore.
Good luck to all, things will get better
Dave, obviously your message makes no sense…but for your information, my dad’s a member the UAW and I had a working class upbringing…I was communting from L.A….but whatever, you don’t seem to have anything to say except your lame smei-ironic catch phrases.
Diogenes, theres truth in the catch phrases stated by both Dave and Mark here. I also have a working class upbringing and times like that are going away fast.
There used to be a old saying, When Detroit Motors are purring so is the rest of our country’s economy. Or maybe it was, Whats good for the US Auto Industry is good for our nation’s economy. It’s been so long since I heard it I forget how it went.
That statement means when our country’s industry are doing well so is the rest of our nation. Pretty straight forward.
I understand their points and also share the same thoughts. As a nation we need to look at where we are taking ourself. We as a nation of consumers have allowed other nations to move in and take over. We are losing our nations good paying jobs, while allowing foreign company’s to export $Billions a year in profits out of the US. Profits that used to get put right back into the US economy.
The point is because we have allowed foreign owned company’s in, we must now compete with them. Our wages and benefits as a nation need to be adjusted to their levels or we are not going to have jobs here in the US. Plan and simple facts.
The US Auto Industry is just one example and a very good example. Dont buy vehicles from US owned company’s and we forced the US workers to take lower wages and less benefits.
Plain and simple, we are headed down the wrong path as a nation of consumers. Why do we buy vehicles made by foreign owned company’s. I’m not sure, I have owned both and theirs not much difference. Think what you want about that statement, Consumers Report, Car and Drive and JD Powers say I’m correct. But it is your choice in the end.
I will buy my vehicles from US owned company’s, thank you. I think it’s great for our nation and it’s great for the US economy. I really don’t like the fact, when I bought my last foreign vehicle, I set someone else’s kid to college that did not even live here in the US.
OCEA your just the next in a very long line of workers in America that need to adjust your wages and benefits to compete.
Or change our ways as a nation of consumers and change what we buy. Pretty straight forward to me but do what ever you like, it’s your choice.
Good luck to all, we will come around as a nation.
Take care
I think OCEA gets it…now if only the County would listen and take action. We’re in the middle of a crisis and the County powers want to drag their feet! That’s BS. Let’s get it together guys…it’s not just the workers who will suffer if this thing isn’t done right…public services depend on these employees too.
Why is it that county managers skip straight to layoffs (and the rumor is furloughs) without contemplating voluntary cuts? Could it be that they are in eager anticipation of their own negotiated raises in 2009…yup, that’s right, there is no talk of managers contributing to the coffers by giving up their increases. Once again OCEA takes an incremental and thoughtful approach to a crisis situation. I do not know if it’s Berardino’s experience (he was there during the bankruptcy and has subsequently been called on as an expert witness in bankruptcy proceedings) or the county’s lack of experience that always brings OCEA to the forefront…whatever it is as long as OCEA is there county workers will be protected.
More lay offs is not what the national economy needs now. A week off without pay will not send more people to the unemployment lines, to the food banks or possible loss their homes.
The OCEA’s suggestion would help the with the county’s budget problem. The Board of Supervisors suggestions would hurt more people and county services to the citizens will suffer.
What of next year? Flat or reduced salaries?
I think collaboration is the best way to address this issue. If taking some unpaid leave time can save jobs in the long run then that would be great. The problem is that everything is sprialing out of control and everyone wants to play the blame game and protect themselves rather than work together to try and get through this rough patch. Things will eventually improve. If the County goes to layoffs it won’t only affect County employees, but will also affect countless numbers in the public that rely upon County services.
This is ONE of the top worse things I heard the county trying to do to their hard working county employees
A lot of input from OCEA members. Take away the comments from union members and listen to the taxpayers. Nobody wants layoffs. However, we cannot continue to pretend we need that many people on the payroll.
The Social Services Agency just had an Executive Town Hall meeting this afternoon. It was confirmed that the numbers of layoffs mentioned in the paper over the weekend is just a starting point based on New Hires within the agency still on probation. In other words, the first to go.
Although there was a mention of the furloughs being an option, it was made clear it is up to or labor representatives (OCEA &AFSCME etc.) to determine if it is a go for the OC Board approval.
We also learned that those employees who belong to OCMA (132 Admin Manangers within the agency alone!) will still be receiving their scheduled 2% in 2009 in lieu of the 2.5% they would have if they had not been touched by the front line workers plight of trying to conserve our jobs. This is the same group that smiles at you & pats you on the back for being a team player for going the extra mile knowing you are overwhelmed due to the tick in your eye you’ve developed or the numbness you feel at the end of the day after assisting 4-6 applicants. “It will get better” they say.
After all, it is all about Customer Service within the agency both external & internal. Obviously only so as long as they don’t have to give up something on their end to help a little guy on the front line from becoming a client, oops! “customer”.
Kudos to Nick for the news conference that brought the reality of the situation to light. I for one (although under AFSCME) am grateful. We’ve had nothing tangible from our representatives. How do I become an OCEA member? Decertification?
I read a lot of whining here from county workers. You are quick to bag on managers who ARE scheduled for two increase in the next 7 months. One in January (2%) is actually less than we barganed for, saving the county $500,000! The other is set for July and will be 3%, which is the last of a 3 year contract we agreed on. General workers got a 2 year contract with the same amount (some of whcih went back in towards a higher retirement contribution). Bottom line, you ALL got raises directly or indirectly. How qucikly you forget 2.7% retirement retroactive at no cost to you. How quickly you forget 95% paid medical for you. How quickly you forget the county pays the bulk of your health care for family and most of your retirement costs (you only pay a small portion of what it costs to fund the system). How quickly you foret the county pays for part of your medical in retirement. How quickly you forget 11 paid holidays. How quickly you forget .60 cents an hour for speaking a foreign language. How quickly you forget .50 cents or more a mile for driving your car on county business. How quickly you forget who you work for: taxpayers. How quickly you forget!
Mr. Smith, It seems to me you are a bitter over helping the county with over $500,000. Perhaps you can be a little more generous in minimizing the gap between that the still remaining $6,000,00 PLUS with the taxpayers in mind?
You make an assumption stating we ALL received raises directly or indirectly. How much is a 5% pre-tax raise really worth when you have to agree to higher co-pays for doctor visits, Rx, ER visits or hospital admissions?
Not ALL receive the 2.7% @ 55 as you assume. Our group did think of the effect this would have on the taxpayers & REJECTED this option. Our group doesn’t come back as part-timers in addition to their 2.7%! Workers within our group have DIED will on duty as they can not afford to retire with affordable medical coverage.
County holidays are observed by all county workers YOU included. Take a couple away as the state has proposed JUST SAVE JOBS and please don’t call in sick on those days either out of nostalgia!
Being bilingual is skill that is in high demand whether you agree for it to be compensated or not.
When the seniors, disabled & children can’t put food on their table & we are laid off will you process their applications with the same empathy & quality as we do? We want to raise our families, keep our homes & still continue to serve the citizens of Orange County. We are asking to keep our jobs to retire the o onot to fund a new 2009 vehicle or a vacation home!
Shame on you sir for asking the little guy to take the fall!
Get serious. The County is top heavy. Why don’t the Board of Supervisors offer to work for a $1. They are worth about that much! Cut from the top. Don’t hurt the little guy.
If anyone wants to confirm any statements about wages in regards to any county employee it is simple, cut & paste the link for the Memorandum of Understanding for each labor group.
http://egov.ocgov.com/portal/site/ocgov/menuitem.4981dc715fc6e27bdadd603d100000f7/?vgnextoid=610c0618f2fc5110VgnVCM1000000100007fRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Be an informed citizen of Orange County & stay up to date as to what the BOS is up to. You have the opportunity & the right to speak your mind at their weekly meetings in regards to issues at hand.
http://egov.ocgov.com/portal/site/ocgov/menuitem.4981dc715fc6e27bdadd603d100000f7/?vgnextoid=33b86512d2fa5110VgnVCM1000000100007fRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Missed a meeting? Minutes are provided. Including the meeting at which Mr. Mauk’s contract was extended. You’ll notice there was no “amendment” to his salary or benefits as he had already taken care of that in 02/2007 & 11/2007.
http://cams.ocgov.com/Web_Publisher_Sam/Sam11_25_2008.htm