Menino urges employees to accept one-year wage freeze
By John C. Drake and Donovan Slack, Globe Staff
Mayor Thomas M. Menino tonight is calling on the city's employees to accept a one-year wage freeze to help him fill a budget gap and avoid at least some layoffs of police officers and teachers, declaring during his annual State of the City speech that, in the current economic crisis, "we have to work together.''
A wage freeze would save the city about $60 million, which would almost completely offset an expected $62 million reduction in state aid, city officials said.
Officials in Menino's administration had warned Monday of a big budget gap and widespread layoffs, setting up his high-profile call tonight for union concessions that could avoid at least some of those cuts.
"If we can agree to a one-year wage freeze, then I can protect core services for residents and preserve jobs," Menino said, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. "I know this will be hard on working families, but the way I see it, a one-year wage freeze beats core service reductions and painful layoffs."
Menino also took time out to recognize the death of veteran Boston Fire Lieutenant Kevin M. Kelley in the crash of a department ladder truck on Friday, without mentioning an ongoing investigation or union charges that the city does a poor job maintaining its firetrucks. Menino had attended a wake for Kelley this afternoon before arriving for his speech at Faneuil Hall.
Even as he grapples with an economy in a downward spiral and a $140 million budget gap, Menino's political future seemed to be on his mind. At the end of his prepared remarks, he hinted he is preparing to run for an unprecedented fifth term, promising to "work tirelessly to move our city forward this year and in the years ahead." Menino's current term expires at the end of 2009.
But it was the economy and its effect on city revenues that dominated the speech. Menino said the anticipated budget shortfall threatens gains the city has made in education, public safety, and neighborhood development and that dramatic action would be required to stave off dramatic cuts and job losses.
"This is no ordinary year. But ours is no ordinary city," Menino said. "We are confronting a great economic crisis. Boston did not create it, but Boston must deal with it. Together, we will overcome it. The problems are truly global in scale, but they are also very, very real in our city."
Menino said he would not depend on the wage freeze and layoffs alone to close the budget gap. He said his administration was searching for efficiencies in how City Hall operates and was asking the state for additional revenue sources like the ability to levy a meals tax. But that would not be enough, he said.
"We cannot tighten our belts out of this situation -- no matter how much we prioritize, legislate, and consolidate," he said. "We need courage and urgent action."
Menino did not say the wage freeze would allow the city to avoid all layoffs. Even with the anticipated savings it would provide, the city's 2010 budget would still be about $80 million short.
The mayor said the city was working to protect residents during the economic crisis, touting his efforts at foreclosure prevention and intervention. The city, he said, has prevented nearly 450 foreclosures, keeping 500 families in their homes.
"Street by street, block by block, we will do even more this year," Menino said. "I will stand by your side to preserve your investment. I will stick up for Boston’s neighborhoods. I will fight to protect all that we have achieved."
Given the city's dire financial straits, Menino refrained from announcing major new initiatives, but he did announce a $1 million gift from The Cloud Foundation, that he said would allow 2,000 city students to work directly with art and science professionals.
On public safety, Menino said the city reduced crime overall by 8 percent in 2008 and saw fewer homicides.
"We will improve on these gains in 2009, because protecting Boston’s residents is my top priority," he said. "I will not allow a handful of criminals to threaten our communities. We will take your guns. We will break up your gangs, and we will lock you up. Violence has no place in Boston’s neighborhoods."
And he said economic development would not be cut off during tough economic times. He said the city provided financial and technical assistance to 100 small business and said the city would hand out $40 million in federal loans to jumpstart construction. He also said he was contacting the chief executives of the city's largest employers and urge them to preserve jobs as they weather the financial storm.
John C. Drake can be reached at jdrake@globe.com.
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There is no way the unions let this happen.
Why does an employ-er have to "request" a wage freeze? Doesn't the employ-ee agree to work for the employ-er based on what is being offered?
Has Meninoe acccpeted a wage freeze as all the other people shouls have as well.. it kills me that 150k plus people take there wage increse..This is indictive of the administratin that we'll raise taxes to ge tthru this..There is not one person reasy to sacrifice,,,it demoralizing...I can'r wait till my kids are done thu high school so I can move out of this corrupt, i don't give a shit about you state
Funny, neither my nor my wife's asked if I was ok with a salary freeze. They just told us that's how it is.
How bout all those freakin politicians take a pay cut for a year! Nah, Mummbles would NEVER think of asking for that. Boston needs a Mayor that's willing to take on the rest of the politically corrupt members and not fear the outcome. Is there anyone MAN enough for the job? Ok, how bout woman? Whoever it is, they really need to have a set of -@lls!!!!!!!!!
Right, employees should give up an increase for one year so cops and teachers get a raise? Cause cops and teachers are what? Something special compared the rest of us mutts? Puleeeeezzzzzzzz
The people of Boston are being held hostage by the menino adm and the union
Why don't they turn off the lights and heat at city hall at night. Also stop these no life lazy employees from coming in on Saturdays, Sundays, CHRISTMAS!!! (They come in at these time because they don't get their work done during the week.)Thus eliminating the need to turn on office lights and heat for one employee.
No union is going to take a wage freeze. The Globe story on layoffs was a total plant. "Oh gee just a wage freeze, better than a layoff." Unbelieveably transparent.
Many city employees are unionized and have contracts that include automatic pay raises.
In the private sector the BOSS calls the shots!
You don't like it , theirs the door! Pretty simple stuff.
Most people have increase in their property taxes yet their property values went Down! Too bad gov't don't operate like private bizzness!
If the union does not let this happen then more layoffs are inevitable. As a City employee I will vote yes on this rather than lose my job or see my co-workers lose their jobs. I would much rather make do with what I have for the next year, than collect unemployment and try to find another job in this economy. I hope I am not the only City employee who feels this way.
LF: it's called collective bargaining. It's in the MA General Laws. Maybe we should go back to making 13 year old imigrants work in dangerous dirty conditions without breaks for a wopping $2/hour.
We have forgotten the nickel tax we put on bottles long to help with roads and bridges well here's and idea, why not make it twenty five cents, twenty cents goes to the state and when we return the bottles we still get five cents on our return, make iton all bottles and cans, and plastic water bottles too. Free money for the state. Would rather get hit at the supermaket then at the tolls. Another idea for more money, car registrar stickers on plates are good for two yearsmake them every year there's extra money for the state, These idea's are simple, leave the gas tax alone, what happens when the price goes back up people are not going to be able to afford gas again. Remember you are surpose to be our voices for the people not screw the people. Get your hands out of everyone else's pockets and think why you hold the position you do. Power is great if used wisely and not to benefit one's self. Just a couple of thought's for the Big Wigs to ponder.
And why should they take a wage freeze. Menino smartly has put about $50 million dollars away each year since 1994 into a rainy day account. He never shared any money$ during the good times with employees, (its always a fight) why should they give anything back to him. He has over $700 million hidden away (keeps the bond rating good) Maybe he should start spending some of it, its raining. Tommy start the layoffs with your daughter in law $140,000.0 in 2008 for being adminstrative asst working about 15 hours a week. What a scam.
what in god's name is a wage freeze???...does that mean not giving out raises that have been negotiated in advanced and are part of union contracts?...or does it mean not giving a raise to any non union employees??...i'm not taking a postion on it either way... i'm just trying to figure out what it means...i'm also trying to figure out why the reporter of the story would write such a story without being able to clarify what the mayor is talking about...pathetic journalism in my opinion...
...funny, my employer didn't ask for my permission to not give me a raise. In fact, he didn't ask if it was O.K. to CUT my pay. Also, he didn't ask if it was O.K. to take away the pension. Oh, and he didn't ask about eliminating the 401(k) match. I'm so sick of whinning government employees. Go to the private sector and see if things are so much better. As a "friend," I advise that you don't. While you can all point to the extremes (i.e. the CEO making millions), most private-sector rank-and-file employees are far worse off than the average teacher, cop, etc. I speak from 1st hand knowledge as many of my relatives are government employees and I wish I had followed their lead.
what about are children going back to neighborhood schools. save on all these buses and drivers who don't speak a word on english
H*ll I suggested my company do that... to save $$ and hopefully save my job... I'd rather have a wage freeze than no wages.
And I agree with the other posters WHY is he asking and not TELLING them?
Of course.. you all realize that our Reps & Senators all got raises right? That NEVER should have happened!
How about non essential personel getting let go first. Then get rid of these Hacks mumbles hinh hint
I guess I have to go to the Herald because the Globe is in Meninos pocket
A little history...unions thepeople who brought you weekends off!!
Teachers, unless they have been working for 20+ years do not make very much money. With our pay increases already being below inflation, and the cost of everything increasing, our union will not agree to this. I depend on my lane increase every year. I don't make $150k, many teachers make less than 50k for tireless, selfless service work. We deserve our 2-3% raise!!!!!!!!
another joke which has become Boston....
There are so many more ways that the city can take cuts to save money...like stop fire truck inspections, chase kids putting lite brights on walls...what a JOKE!!!! Also, how come there are 3-4 detail officers that sit around talking when they should be doing work....bring in the flaggers....
I am SICK SICK SICK
Sfred- stop lying. BPS teachers are one of the highest paying teachers in the state and massachusetts ranks in the top 10 in the nation for teacher salaries. Even teaching asst in BPS make more money than teachers in other school districts. Beginning teacher salary is 47K. The 2-3% increase translates to an increased $5-10 extra in your paychek after taxes. Missing that for the remainder of this fiscal year that ends in June is not going to cause you are any one that much hardship. You can collect bottle cans and make more in the meantime.
Menino is lying......I hope all City Unions tell this chump...NO....and see what happens!!
Will poor Tommy Jr. & Lisa be able to get by on the $250K+ they collectively earned (?) in 2008 from Papa Mumbles? God help them if they had real jobs like the rest of us working stiffs (most of whom live from paycheck to paycheck and not by choice).
Betcha these 2 moochers belly up to Pops for their 5% kiss in 2009...let's see, that would be $262,500. Now that Momma Mumbles is retired from Hancock, free daycare for the kids, too, I bet!
Most of us "regular" private sector tax paying employees are "employees at will". We can have our benefits changed at any time, we get a raise if it is deserved are asked in times like these to go to a reduced work week, use PTO time, take a pay cut. What makes government employees so special? Why do we need unions? why do we tolerate these legislative retirement perks? Enough is enough if they don't like it go to the private sector and see if it is any better. the mayor should demand and not "ask" He needs to put the needs of the citizens above those of his employees. what he suggested makes perfect sensewhich when combined with other cost cutting measures should helpprotect jobs
Here's one idea for the city and state to save money. If someone could estimate the dollars saved I bet it would be in the millions. The citiy of Boston should dissconnect every other street light. Lets enforce Flagmen directing traffic at construction sites in MA. I have yet to see one flagman anywhere, it's 2009! Lets layoff some of the police, fire, state and city workers who sit behind desks and drain our budgets.
Eat it city employees. Everyone in the private sector is already taking zero wage increases this year, and we weren't 'urged' by top management, we were just told flat out, "no increase'. How come it didn't hit the press every time in the past two months that a company informed their employees of a wage freeze?
yea..unions may have brought us the weekend... but look at what they do for "us" now.. unions are old school and everything they get there hands on... they go bankrupt!
Getreal - Boston is not one of the highest in the state - according to the state DOE website we are number one - the average teacher earns over $70,000 a year - plus amazing health care, plus an excellent pension, plus retirement health care.
How about instead of asking them to accept a wage freeze, you just don't give them a raise? Why does the Mayor of Boston have no nuts? He's the leader of the city, so he needs to make difficult decisions.
The president of a private sector company has to make tough decisions in a similar manner, and would tell employees that there will be no holiday party, no raises, no bonuses, and lay people off.
Why are public sector employees exempt from getting away with being cowardly and showing no cajones?
It's easy as pie, although pie isn't all that easy to make sometimes.
Back in 1980-1981 the City promised to reduce police and fire layoffs if eligible employees took an early retirement incentive. Yet close to 1000 police & firefighters were laid off anyways, myself included for 12 months.
Could be another bill of goods being sold....
As a city employee, I'm all for it. I'll agree to a year's wage freeze if that will help preserve city services. No problem, mayor... I'm on board.
As a city employee, I'm all for it. I'll agree to a year's wage freeze if that will help preserve city services. No problem, mayor... I'm on board.
Menino would deflect a ot of vitriole if he would announce he were freezing his wages as well. Lead by example Mr. Mayor, lead by example.
money wasted on chuck turner by city councel 50.000 dollars for private investigation. what a joke
Lot of nerve asking employees to take a pay freeze. Did you, or any of the other politicians in Boston.
Here is a concept for you . Leadership by example.
A wage freeze of one year is pretty consistent with the trend in corporate America. Given a choice I'd freely forgo 3% in order to save a co-worker's job. Yes, money is tight for everyone, but 3% individually isn't going to make a whole hill of beans difference in a family's life, especially after taxes. Collectively, it will do a whole lot of good.
As for getreal - yes there are some teachers that paid pretty well in BPS but there are a lot more that don't make much more than peanuts. Take a look at teacher salaries in some of the suburbs - on an average basis they make more than BPS teachers. So - is it your expectation that children should be screwed over by an economic crisis they did not create. Instead of being negative, we should all take a look at how we can help to mitigate this crisis.
Sfred you don't need 20+ years to make a nice chunk of change. I have a friend working in the BPS for 10 years who is making over 85K as a elementary school teacher. I'd take it. Anyone want to know what city employees are making go over to the Herald website, scroll down to "Your tax dollars at work" and you can see a database of what any city employee is making, also what retired people are making in pensions.
when will you Bostonians smarten up and gather en masse in front of City Hall and DEMAND real reform ? That would poisitively scare the pols to death !!The pols treat all of us like mushrooms..to be kept in the dark !! Get rid of the layabouts working for the city, beginning with menino's relatives !!!!!!
$414,000.00 per year...thats the menino family's pay from the city..a bit excessive
I am a City of Boston Employee. I work hard for the City and bring in money to the City (in the form of recovery of unpaid property taxes) and could take a higher paying job in the private sector. I have no problem with this. If it means that none of my fellow employees will be laid off, if it means that services will be preserved I'm all for it.
Welcome to the Commonwealth of Entitlement.
Lets see there was the woman who "worked from home" for parks and rec. Home was in Venezuela.
How about all the people from Inspectional services who never do a thing, like make sure that greasy spoon chinese restaurants in westie have hoods that work.
Tommy how about you making a contribution to the city from that slush fund that you have for your re-election?
Lay off the city council and all their employees. They have no power and do nothing.
Increasing meal taxes would be a good idea because we know that all those folks who own pizza joints, sandwich shops and mid priced restaurants are making a fortune. In fact when I die my idea of heaven is owning a restaurant:-)
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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