Turnpike to cut six jobs to save costs
Director aims to boost efficiency
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority officials notified six employees this week that their jobs are being eliminated in a cost-cutting move.
The union workers, who include a paralegal, a motor pool driver, and finance department employees, have not been terminated yet, said Turnpike officials, who refused to release their names. Under their union contract, officials said, the employees may have bumping rights, entitling them to a different job at the cash-strapped agency.
But eventually, six positions will be cut from the payroll, Turnpike Authority executive director Alan LeBovidge said.
Those targeted by the cuts on Thursday were given the option of continuing to work while officials negotiate with the Steelworkers Union over the cutbacks, or taking a three-week paid leave of absence.
"As you know, the governor asked that I come in here and pursue reforms, and that's what we're doing," LeBovidge said. "As part of that, we're looking at all of the positions in the Turnpike Authority to make it as efficient as possible."
A Steelworkers Union representative could not be reached yesterday for comment.
LeBovidge said he had already cut about a quarter of the agency's senior management positions, saving about $1 million a year. Among those terminated previously were officials in charge of toll operations, the chief financial officer, the human resources director, and the chief of employee relations. Before that LeBovidge let go a lobbyist, a community relations specialist, and a landscape architect.
LeBovidge said he has not yet determined how much the latest round of cuts will save the agency, which is facing dire financial problems. The authority, which has already raised tolls for roads that are in need of major repairs and preventive maintenance, has been forced to use rainy-day funds to balance its books and may have to raise tolls again next year.
Last year, the authority voted against spending $250 million on a five-year repair plan that its staff said was necessary to keep the roads in good shape.
