Local
Many Workers Fired In "Draconian" Scheme
By Susie Kopecky
Mar 6, 2010 - 1:48:12 AM

SAN FRANCISCO—Mayor Gavin Newsom has good news and bad news. The news isn't great for many San Francisco governmental employees, however, about 15,000 workers are set to be fired and then hired once more.
  
On Friday, March 5, quite a few government employees were surprised at the news that they no longer  had a job in the city ranks. The news only became more confusing when it was learned that of the approximately 15,000 employees recently fired, the mayor hoped to bring back many.
  
According to available information, Newsom ultimately decided that by letting many of the employees go briefly, and then bringing them back aboard, would save the city a significant amount of money, possibly to the tune of $50 million.
  
San Francisco has been facing a more-than-$500 million dollar budget deficit (closer to $525 million) and various plans have gone into effect to attempt to address the financial issue at hand.
  
Part of the ultimate plan would involve firing many of the city employees (many of whom were officially asked to leave late this week), and then inviting them to return, with fewer hours. Newsom stated his hope that “the overwhelming majority” of those who were fired will successfully be offered similar jobs working for the city once more.
  
For many employees, the pink slips may shortly be followed by offers of employment at reduced hours (37.5 per week), in comparison to the avergae 40 hours per week of paid work. As the mayor pointed out (noting  as “draconian” as it sounded), this would equate to about a 6.25 percent pay cut.
  
This is similar to the furlough program currently being implemented in numerous schools around the state, including universities in the California State University system.
  
In a YouTube address this week, Newsom called the week a “difficult” one for many residents and employees.
  
“The reality is, we have to live within our means,” Newsom explained, outlining the various constraints the city government has in terms of raising funds, borrowing money and increasing taxation.

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