The Fire Department Layoffs

I just want to get this in text format so you can copy past it into your chosen medium.

Here is the complete text of the news release we issued today on layoffs in the Omaha Fire Department. The layoffs will not take effect until January, so there is still time to avoid layoffs.

News release:
Layoff notices will be delivered to 19 Omaha firefighters beginning today, as a result of Local 385 refusing to agree to necessary staffing changes to the current contract with the City of Omaha.

“These layoffs can be prevented if the union, through its leadership, agrees to reduce the size of the 2014 paramedic classes,” said Mayor Jean Stothert. “We will have over 300 certified paramedics by the end of 2014, nearly half the sworn strength of the department. Reducing the number and size of the 2014 paramedic training classes will not affect public safety.”

In light of the fact that the fire department is $6.2 million over budget in 2013, it is imperative that the city meet the 2014 budget. Layoffs have always been under consideration as an alternative to meet the OFD 2014 budget, though not preferred.

Mayor Stothert agreed in writing, there would be no layoffs next year if the union would agree to reduce the size of 2014 paramedic training classes from a total of 48 to12. The union leadership rejected the offer. The Mayor also made a written offer to extend the no layoff option through 2015, if the fire department stayed within its 2014 budget, set at $90.6 million. The union leadership rejected this offer as well, insisting on an indefinite guarantee of no layoffs.

The firefighters receiving layoff notices beginning today are probationary firefighters hired in February, 2013. The union contract allows for layoffs for budgetary reasons. The layoffs will be effective January 4, 2014.

“The 19 firefighters receiving layoff notices have been determined based on their ranking on the firefighter entrance exams, as required by the contract,” said interim Fire Chief Bernie Kanger.

“With the layoffs not being effective until January, there is still time to avoid them, if the union is willing to come to an agreement,” said Mayor Stothert.

Currently, there are 652 firefighters in the department, 21 more than allocated in the 2013 budget. If the union allows these layoffs to occur in January, OFD will still have a sworn strength higher than when the current contract was ratified in January 2013.

The City Human Relations Department will meet with each firefighter receiving a layoff notice to discuss layoff rights, recall from layoff rights, the possibility of vacant city positions that might be available and answer questions on benefits, unemployment, health insurance and pension.

The Mayor is doing the right thing. A. She is trying to get under budget, B. Safety won’t be impacted, C. She has given the Fire Union a couple options to keep all them employed, even though it is in violation of the contract.

Thanks Mayor Jean Stothert. Thanks IAFF Local 385 Management.

Since I forgot

Since I forgot my book, I’ll do a blog entry.

So far today I’ve done the following: wash dishes, ate breakfast, adl’s, shave.

Look how clean it is.
I’m now heading to see Gravity. Nöpe didn’t see it on opening weekend.

I’m also wearing shorts. Yup you read that right. If is a respectable 13 degrees in November. Although there is suppose to be snow someone before this time next week. The care level isn’t there, that’s why I can’t & won’t narrow it down.

So after this post, there will be a post on twitter talking about 2/2. The last two ladies I have asked for there number, they gave them to me. Winning.

Well there it is.

Quotes from the World for Monday 11/04/MXIII

To dream magnificently is not a gift given to all men, and even for those who possess it, it runs a strong risk of being progressively diminished by the ever-growing dissipation of modern life and by the restlessness engendered by material progress. The ability to dream is a divine and mysterious ability; because it is through dreams that man communicates with the shadowy world which surrounds him. But this power needs solitude to develop freely; the more one concentrates, the more one is likely to dream fully, deeply.

Charles Baudelaire
Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867), French poet, critic. Artificial Paradise (1860).

Want to Be

Want to be who I am today.

Good Morning & Happy Monday folks. Today is Monday 11/04/V3.4 & it is a great day.

Mayor Jean Stothert’s is having two community forums today. The one at 24th & Lake is about Jobs. This is her effort to reach out to North Omaha. The meeting starts at 1200. She is also having her 1st District Town Hall Meeting. It is at Benson Library 6015 Binny St. The meeting time is at 1830, I won’t be at either.

Does anyone have a Mario Kart/Nintendo Costumes?

The word of the day is skeigh which is proudly.

So CBS has screwed up again. The Mentalist did not start at 2100, which means my pre-scheduled program didn’t record it in its entirety. I can’t roar right now because it is only 0545 & there might be people sleeping in the area.

I’m listening to Katy Perry’s PRISM.

Going to have me some bacon for breakfast.

I’ve only got to do 1 thing today, besides eat and sleep.

Vernon J out.