In recent weeks, Jersey City officials have proposed abolishing the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW), as well as forcing the layoffs of up to 80 police officers and reducing other city services and staffs. It’s all in an attempt to close a $70 million budget deficit.
But the public works employees and police intend to fight back. Some will attend this Tuesday’s council meeting to complain.
The city hopes to put all of its public works jobs under the purview of the autonomous Incinerator Authority (JCIA) by February. This would eliminate 80 jobs and result in an estimated $5 million in savings.
The Police Department is being asked to slash $8 million from its budget for the upcoming calendar year, which starts on Jan. 1, which could lead to layoffs of 80 police officers and the demotion of 20 supervisors.
“It’s a dangerous move on the part of Mayor Healy and his business administrator [Jack Kelly]” – Jerry DiCicco
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“We are also exploring the concept of shared services with other agencies and municipalities,” Morrill said. “Everything is on the table.”
Morrill added, “Once the decision is made on layoffs, we need to submit the plan to civil service, who will determine bumping rights; all essential services will continue to be provided, but may be in some instances in a reduced capacity.”
At present, 2,700 people work for the city, and over 50 percent are in uniform, including 830 police officers, 500 firefighters and 190 crossing guards.
Demonstrating displeasure
Jerry DiCicco is one of many police officers expected to show up at the council meeting on Tuesday. DiCicco is the president of the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association, the police union.
DiCicco said the 80 officers being considered for layoffs are those with three years or less on the force, most of whom do evening patrols.
“Because of these shortages, middle and low priority calls will be ignored for hours with police running to the higher priority calls,” DiCicco said. “It’s a dangerous move on the part of Mayor Healy and his business administrator [Jack Kelly].”
DiCicco said the proposed layoffs and demotions will also lead to cuts in specialized units such as the anti-gang unit and motorcycle squad.
DiCicco not only doesn’t want layoffs, but offers suggestions on how the city can save money without a single police layoff. He suggested eliminating the police director’s office and cutting 25 percent of the department’s budget for civilian employees. He also recommended eliminating the city’s Division of Cultural Affairs, which oversees the organization of various art fairs and other cultural events in the city.
“It’s about totally eliminating the duplication of services,” DiCicco said.
DiCicco said he has reached out to City Council members with some of these ideas, but doesn’t believe they will ever be considered.
Coping with the inevitable
City employees and officials have different takes on the layoffs.
One employee with about 10 years experience working in City Hall said that he can’t “worry about what he can’t control.” But he said he hopes the city doesn’t lay off additional people, since they’ve already mandated employee furloughs, or 12 unpaid days off, from September through June.
In addition, in December of last year, the city implemented furloughs followed by layoffs in February of about 280 provisional and part-time employees.
After the city submits the layoff plan to the civil service commission, the commission has 30 days to review the plan. Once a plan is approved, employees are given 45 days of notice.
City Councilwoman Nidia Lopez said she felt uncomfortable when she had to vote recently on the ordinance to abolish Public Works. She says she was not given enough information about the move.
Lopez and Councilman Steven Fulop voted against the introduction of the ordinance at the Nov. 10 council meeting. It has not yet come up for a final vote.
“I don’t like that a decision like that was put in front of me at the last minute,” Lopez said. “It’s not fair to me and it’s not fair to the people who are facing the loss of their jobs.”
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.