July 3, 2009
Mayor Kim Wolfe’s Statement Regarding Informational Picket by City Employees
Full Test of Administration Press Release
As many of you are aware, the three collective bargaining agreements that the City of Huntington had expired on June 30, 2008. The previous administration attempted to negotiate a successor agreement. We have been in litigation with our police and firefighter unions related to contract negotiations and retiree health benefits. The Circuit Court recognized that the contracts expired last year.
The members of the various unions have been invited to and have attended numerous meetings where I have explained the economic state of the City. As we begin to look into this new fiscal year’s budget, it is highly possible that some cuts and adjustments will have to be made. The city is faced with shrinking revenues and expanding health care and pension costs.
Prior to July 2008, city employees were receiving a benefit package which had no equal in the private sector. With the changes made by the previous administration, it is still a benefit package that goes well beyond the average benefit a citizen is receiving. Look at PEIA, for example. City employees were paying $11.54 every two weeks as their contribution towards their health insurance. Today, they are paying $71.69 every two weeks for family coverage. This amount is still well below what others are paying for health insurance. When the increased rates went into effect, the city set a health reimbursement account to help offset the increased participation by the employee. Two thousand dollars per year is placed into an account for each employee with family coverage and it is used to reimburse the employee for any out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Recently, City Council passed a $1 increase in the User Fee. This fee has been dedicated to increased police protection and the paving of City streets. As a result of this increase, we are hiring six new police officers, purchasing five new patrol cars and paving $800,000 worth of roads. My main concern is to ensure that we provide adequate services to our constituents. The first priority of government is to protect the citizens; your person, property and liberty.
I have offered to sign a memorandum of understanding with the bargaining units related to the working conditions for City employees-in particular, job security and benefits. In 2008, the average wage was:
The administration has not determined if it is in the best interest of the citizens to have collective bargaining agreements. I recognize the employees’ right for an informational picket, and I am confident that the informational picket will not disrupt the delivery of service to the citizens of our great City. Every day I am proud of all our employees and the service they provide to our citizens. Each day we improve as a City and as a community. I will continue to focus on Home Rule, and Pension Reform, and to focus on the priorities of making us more efficient and effective with our service delivery.
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Mayor Kim Wolfe’s Statement Regarding Informational Picket by City Employees
Full Test of Administration Press Release
As many of you are aware, the three collective bargaining agreements that the City of Huntington had expired on June 30, 2008. The previous administration attempted to negotiate a successor agreement. We have been in litigation with our police and firefighter unions related to contract negotiations and retiree health benefits. The Circuit Court recognized that the contracts expired last year.
The members of the various unions have been invited to and have attended numerous meetings where I have explained the economic state of the City. As we begin to look into this new fiscal year’s budget, it is highly possible that some cuts and adjustments will have to be made. The city is faced with shrinking revenues and expanding health care and pension costs.
Prior to July 2008, city employees were receiving a benefit package which had no equal in the private sector. With the changes made by the previous administration, it is still a benefit package that goes well beyond the average benefit a citizen is receiving. Look at PEIA, for example. City employees were paying $11.54 every two weeks as their contribution towards their health insurance. Today, they are paying $71.69 every two weeks for family coverage. This amount is still well below what others are paying for health insurance. When the increased rates went into effect, the city set a health reimbursement account to help offset the increased participation by the employee. Two thousand dollars per year is placed into an account for each employee with family coverage and it is used to reimburse the employee for any out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Recently, City Council passed a $1 increase in the User Fee. This fee has been dedicated to increased police protection and the paving of City streets. As a result of this increase, we are hiring six new police officers, purchasing five new patrol cars and paving $800,000 worth of roads. My main concern is to ensure that we provide adequate services to our constituents. The first priority of government is to protect the citizens; your person, property and liberty.
I have offered to sign a memorandum of understanding with the bargaining units related to the working conditions for City employees-in particular, job security and benefits. In 2008, the average wage was:
AFSCME Employee $30,905The city is prepared to discuss the wage and benefit package received by every employee and compare it to the average wage earned by the citizens of Huntington.
Fire Employee $43,630
Police Employee $55,760
The administration has not determined if it is in the best interest of the citizens to have collective bargaining agreements. I recognize the employees’ right for an informational picket, and I am confident that the informational picket will not disrupt the delivery of service to the citizens of our great City. Every day I am proud of all our employees and the service they provide to our citizens. Each day we improve as a City and as a community. I will continue to focus on Home Rule, and Pension Reform, and to focus on the priorities of making us more efficient and effective with our service delivery.
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