Joint Council takes on City Hall (updated)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

REDDING - The Joint Council of Redding Employee Unions (JCREU) issued letters to the Redding City Council Thursday, December 11th urging them to look at all options before cutting employees. City Manager Kurt Starman targeted fireman, police and general services employees to build the City reserve. The Joint Council believes the City should look at other area’s to cut the budget other than personnel. “It’s the same politics as usual in Redding”, said Chris Darker, Council Coordinator. “If you have to cut jobs, cut the people at the top and leave those who protect and save lives and property, and provide city services off the chopping block. Cutting the Neighborhood Police Program and cutting Firefighters makes no sense to the JCREU Council”, said Darker. 
Redding Labor Unions were called in one at a time to meet with City Manager Starman who asked union leadership if they wanted cuts to their benefits or layoffs. The JCREU called for a meeting with Staman where the leadership of every union met with Starman at the same time. Union reps asked for the entire list of cuts submitted by department heads. Starman refused stating the list would unnecessarily scare employees. Union reps also asked if they took cuts in benefits would it save them from layoffs. Starman said cuts may not be enough and even though members might agree to benefit cuts layoffs could be necessary as well. Every union stated they would not sacrifice benefits.
The JCREU called for town hall meetings to allow the public to comment on cuts in services. “I think everytime Government wants to cut services, especially police and fire, it should trigger public meetings. If we didn’t stand up together and say something about these outrages cuts, it could have been rubber stamped by the Council on Monday”, said Darker. The JCREU was formed in 2006 by 13 Redding Unions.
Redding City Council on Monday proceeded with the recommendation of the City Manager and in fact made a lesser cut to Mike Warrens budget at Turtle Bay.