Politics & Government

Union Grievance, Political Firestorm Follow Public Works Layoff Decision

Mayor's foes blast decision to eliminate public works

Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis' decision to present a municipal budget that calls for the effective elimination of the township's public works department has been blasted by Democrats and union leaders.

John Menshon, chairman of Transport Workers Union Local 225 Branch 4, said the labor organization has filed a formal grievance complaint against the township.

"Whatever it takes, we'll be pursuing it," Menshon said.

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The complaint, filed with the state Civil Service Commission, alleges that the township has "unjustly filed a layoff plan to coerce the union into concessionary bargaining," Menshon said.

The township and the TWU have been in negotiations for about three months, Menshon said, and both sides are still far apart. The grievance calls for the elimination of the layoff plan.

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Acropolis, a Republican, has said that laying off 77 public works employees will result in a tax cut for residents, who he sees as being unhappy with an increase in taxes that resulted from a referendum last year that maintained public services in town at a cost of $8.6 million in over-cap spending.

If the employees were to be laid off, trash and recycling collection would have to be provided by a private company. The mayor said after learning of recent contracts in Point Pleasant Borough and other local communities, private collection would be cheaper.

Democrats on the council blasted the layoff plan in a statement issued Sunday, saying they were especially angered that they were not advised of the plan before the layoff notices went out to employees last Wednesday, and after the township spent hundreds of thousands of dollars purchasing replacement garbage trucks.

"It is unbelievable that Acropolis sent out 77 layoff notices without informing the council," said Council President John Ducey. "Unfortunately, making major policy decisions without consulting the council is typical behavior from this mayor. He thinks he has all the answers and he is unwilling to listen to anyone."

Acropolis said in an e-mail to Brick Patch that while the mayor has no legal obligation to inform the council of layoffs, it was clear to him that Ducey knew of the plan weeks ago because union leaders were told they had "nothing to worry about" in terms of layoffs.

Acropolis shot back that Democrats on the council have likewise introduced ordinances at public meetings without consulting the administration.

Democrats have accused Acropolis of flip-flopping on the issue of public services, since residents were advised during the 2011 referendum process that most homeowners would save money by approving an exception to the state's 2 percent expenditure cap and raising taxes to keep the public services.

But Acropolis said after the layoff notices went out that he didn't lobby in favor of, or against, passing the referendum.

"I didn't come out publicly and say people should vote for the referendum," Acropolis said. "Things have changed. When you look at Point Pleasant you see what they've done with garbage collection. In this past election (Nov. 2011), the voters came out and said 'we don't want higher taxes.'"

In that election, four Democrats handily defeated four Republican incumbents.

"Every piece of literature they put out talked about taxes," Acropolis said, referring to the Democrats. "Taxes, taxes, taxes. They ran another referendum in November, and I think the people were very loud and clear on that referendum."

But for the Democrats, last week's revelation on the layoff plan was more than a disagreement over the municipal budget.

"Mayor Acropolis has completely short circuited the budget process by slamming the door on the council," said Councilman Jim Fozman.

"He is going to present the 2012 budget to the town without even showing us a copy beforehand."

The Democrats also took issue with Acropolis' claim that eliminating public works would save the township $8 million.

The layoff plan, a copy of which is attached to this story, shaves $7.4 million from the municipal budget, but with a net savings of only $4.3 million after unemployment benefits and severance liabilities are factored in.

The $4.3 million savings would be further reduced after factoring in the outsourced cost of trash and recycling pickup, mechanical work on township vehicles, snow removal and other operations, the Democrats said.

The mayor is set to present his budget to the council on Tuesday night.

A work session meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. at the township municipal complex.


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