Springfield Fiscal Crisis

[image:727]At a recent safety meeting with bus drivers, Springfield's head of bus transportation, John Maloney, avoided the reality of the school bus driver's dire predicament made by recent changes to the contract bid specification. Under the contract bid that went out Tuesday, a vendor that wins the bid would be under no obligation to honor the labor agreements drivers have with the current transportation providers, First Student and Durham School Services. This change significantly increases the chances of First Student and Durham School Services losing the bid and would lead to huge cuts in health care and other major benefits important to Springfield's drivers.

It's unfortunate Mr. Maloney made no mention of these facts, choosing instead to issue false reassurances that there was little to worry about because the incoming vendor will "want quality people." After Maloney spoke, Daniel Clifford, the union representative for the drivers, took an opportunity to address the audience to correct any misperceptions. "If I'm a new vendor, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win that bid. If that means cutting health care and other benefits, I'll do it. The control board has left it wide open for [the current vendors] to lose this bid." He told workers to be ready to fight, saying, "This is going to be a tough battle. There will be more actions."

Also attending the meeting was Antonette Pepe of the Springfield School Committee. She told the drivers she was sorry that she voted to remove the language from the contract but that she was powerless to do little else because the control board had the ultimate say over the contract bid. She encouraged drivers to contact their legisltors to help get Springfield more funding from the state. "It's about time we have our legislators speak up," she said.

[image:725]Brandishing signs reading "We don't want to strike but we will", about 100 school bus told the Springfield's control board on Monday that they would not accept a loss of health insurance and other benefits without a fight. The drivers and bus monitors and upset about a decision by the control board to remove language from a city bid specification requiring contractors bidding for the city's bus contract to honor the current union contract. The workers are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1459 in Springfield.

Clifford Nurse, a Springfield bus driver and UFCW Local 1459 steward, explained that if another incoming transporation company was awarded the city's busing contract, they would be under no obligation to offer the same benefits package spelled out in the contract with First Student and Durham School Services, the current transporation providers. Nurse said this would lead to a higher turnover rate and cause a decline in the quality of transporation services delivered to the city. "We know our presence is important, but they're not showing us any appreciation," Nurse said.

Daniel Clifford, the Union Representative for the workers, told the control board that the bid specification language "assured you labor peace." But he said now that the language in the bid specification had been pulled, "You not only have given us the right to strike, you are encouraging us to strike." Rose Falconer, another driver and union steward, made an impassioned plea to the board, imploring them not to sacrifice their lives and welfare for the sake of saving money. "Our lives depend on these benefits and we cannot afford to be without them," she said.

The Springfield Education Association has formally invited all the members of the Finance Control Board to attend a community meeting to hear testimony from parents, community members, educators and members of the community.

This meeting will be held on March 1, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Central High School auditorium, 1840 Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield. We encourage all working men and women who share our concern about the decisions of the Finance Control Board and their impact on the children in the Springfield Public Schools to attend.

For more information, go to www.seateachers.com.

With the decisions the Finance Control Board has made up to this point, they are behaving more like an anchor than a life preserver. Ask any realtor what the most important things a community needs to maintain and improve its property tax base. At the top of that list, you will find the school system.

City Councilor Rosemarie Mazza Moriarty went to bat for Springfield's city workers and retirees, telling the control board in a letter that "we need to balance the budget, but not on the backs of the employees." She admonised them for "making decisions that affect us all behind closed doors" and requested that citizens have more input in the decision making process.

The Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO would like to thank Coucilor Mazza-Moriarty for going to bat for Springfield's workers and citizens. Click below to read her letter.

"The children in the Springfield Public Schools are certainly not responsible for the cities financial problems and they will feel the pain of Governor Romney’s out-of-control board for years to come."

Dear Mayor Ryan,

I am writing to all members of the School Committee and City Council to ask for your help in the campaign to save Springfield. I understand Governor Romney’s legislation that created the control board has stripped you of your authority. This legislation has not, however, stripped you of your moral authority.

[image:451]Thousands gathered under cloudy skies and a steady rain to stop potential cuts to wages and benefits for Springfield's workers and to demand from Governor Romney and other elected officials that Springfield receive a fairer share of state money to help bail itself out of the crisis. Organizers of the rally estimate 3500 people attended.Multimedia
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Well, it looks like even the Mayor may be feeling a bit of buyer's remorse regarding the bailout package from the state.

The latest injurious insult is the hiring of another out-of-towner to serve as the $130,000 a year executive director of the board. The Andover businessman's own description of his new duties is telling. He was quoted in the Republican as saying that his job will consist of "getting to know the various city departments and making recommendations to the control board."

The bill has been signed, but with a reduction in funds from 52 million to 22 million dollars by Governor Romney. The workers and union members of the City of Springfield will need to brace themselves for a direct attack by Eric Kriss as the City will essentially come under his control.

We are opposed to the Springfield loan bill in its current form. Two amendments are needed.

The Batttle of the Budget Bailout continues. "The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives, which can either accept or reject the Senate proposal. If the House approves the Senate version, the bill will need one additional level of approval in each branch and then it could go to the governor, who could veto it," reports the Republican.

Springfield's financial bailout bill appears to be meeting opposition in the Senate, according the Paul Birks of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the union representative for the Springfield Police Officers. Many Senators are balking at giving the city a $50 million interest free loan, according to Birks, who was on Beacon Hill today.

Editor's Note: Below is the full text of the House Bill passed yesterday.

AN ACT RESTORING FINANCIAL STABILITY IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.

SECTION 1. The general court finds that:
(1) The city of Springfield has a projected structural deficit for fiscal year 2005.

It has been reported to the Union News by State Representative Mary Rogeness that the Massachusetts House of Representatives has created a Springfield bailout bill which will more than likely be taken up tomorrow during informal session. There is a also the possibility it would be taken up as soon as today.

Rich Marlin, Political Director for the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, reports that no movement is likely on Springfield's bailout bill until next week. More details when available.

Paul Birks, Director of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, and Rich Marlin, Leigislative Director of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, reported that no action was taken on Springfield's bailout bill will be taken today. Members of the House are still negotiating details on a new bailout package. More details as they become available.

[image:332]Affirming what Mayor Ryan told the audience of union member and elected officials gathered at the Sheetmetal Workers Hall in Springfield, Monday, City Council President Dominic Sarno said he fought with Mayor Ryan against Eric Kriss' proposal to suspend collective bargaining for the city's workers. "Those rights are basic," Mr. Sarno said.

[image:332]Affirming what Mayor Ryan told the audience of union members and elected officials gathered at the Sheetmetal Workers Hall in Springfield, Monday, City Council President Dominic Sarno said he fought with Mayor Ryan against Eric Kriss' proposal to suspend collective bargaining for the city's workers. "Those rights are basic," Mr. Sarno said.

[image:321]Reiterating the theme for the meeting between local elected officials and union members, Representative Ben Swan called for Springfield's delegation to come together to strengthen their effectiveness in the State House. He requested the unions' help to bring the delegation together.