Wildwood Officials Tell Unions to Expect Furloughs, Layoffs

WILDWOOD — Mayor Gary DeMarzo and commissioners Edward Harshaw and Al Brannen have drawn a line in the sand with local unions, letting them know that change is on the way in an effort to save money for local taxpayers.
Wildwood’s governing body Thursday, Feb. 4 sent letters to representatives of the three major unions that represent city employees. Letters went to Ernie Troiano, III, president, FMBA Local 50 of the Wildwood Fire Department; Fran Smith, president United Auto Workers Union Local 2327; and Christopher B. Howard president Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7.
The letter stated that the tax rate in Wildwood is “nearly twice that of our sister communities.”
Since the city’s budget is employee-based, the solution must be employee-based, the letter said.
The letter asked the unions to reopen contract negotiations, to help create enhanced incentive separation packages, to negotiate from a perspective of employee concessions, to voluntarily schedule unpaid furlough days in 2010, and to give suggestions for budgetary savings to reduce the number of potential layoffs.
The following is the text of the letter sent to the union officials:
“The unfortunate fact is that we are faced with tremendous economic peril and without drastic action this economic disaster will continue and possibly worsen. The City of Wildwood has a tax rate nearly twice that of our sister communities, substantial revenue shortfalls and an infrastructure that is clearly overwhelming; changes in our municipality require a significant reduction of our cost base. This outlook has to be in line with our conservative revenue expectations for the next two to three years.
“The easy answer is to “just raise taxes and fees.” Well, that is not an option; the solution will have to be a shared sacrifice. The vast majority of the City of Wildwood’s budget is employee based; that means that the immediate solution has to employee based.
“In an effort to cope with these extreme times, we are asking for the employee base to help with the solution. It is the work force that knows the organization best and it is the work force that can provide the most beneficial and efficient suggestions to this monumental problem.
“We need to reduce our employee base. First, we are asking all employee bargaining groups to re-open their contracts for further negotiations. Second, we are asking for assistance and suggestions to create enhanced incentive separation packages. Third, we are asking those bargaining groups whose contracts have expired to negotiate from a perspective of employee concessions. Fourth, we are asking employees to voluntarily schedule unpaid furlough days in 2010. Lastly, we are asking for ideas, suggestions and opportunities for budgetary savings to reduce the number of potential layoffs.
“These are extremely difficult decisions, but decisions that are absolutely necessary if the City of Wildwood is to be a viable community. We must focus on our future and together manage our municipality so we may operate on a level that will allow us to compete in our global tourist market.”