The City Council may end up delaying a vote on employee furloughs for a second time in two weeks.
After several public disagreements over whether to give City Manager Pat West the power to implement furloughs for members of the largest city workers union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the council just entered a closed session to talk more in-depth about the ongoing contract negotiations.
It's a strange move, and I don't recall the council ever entering closed session mid-meeting, at least in the two years and change that I've been at the Press-Telegram. Council members Tonia Reyes Uranga and Dee Andrews were the only council members to vote against entering closed session. They both said they wanted to delay a furlough vote until Nov. 3 to allow city and union officials more time for discussion.
If the union doesn't agree to a pay freeze, West says its members will have to take 15 days of unpaid furloughs over the next year.
After several public disagreements over whether to give City Manager Pat West the power to implement furloughs for members of the largest city workers union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the council just entered a closed session to talk more in-depth about the ongoing contract negotiations.
It's a strange move, and I don't recall the council ever entering closed session mid-meeting, at least in the two years and change that I've been at the Press-Telegram. Council members Tonia Reyes Uranga and Dee Andrews were the only council members to vote against entering closed session. They both said they wanted to delay a furlough vote until Nov. 3 to allow city and union officials more time for discussion.
If the union doesn't agree to a pay freeze, West says its members will have to take 15 days of unpaid furloughs over the next year.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
Give me my raise and my 15-days of furlough.
So I can start saving the City of Long Beach $8.5 million and I lose $10 million!