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Library worker Susan Smithers, left, Montgomery County Deputy Sherriff John-Like Espinas, and Park and Planning Commission worker Greg Goebel, all union members in the Municipal County of Government Employees Organization, attend a Montgomery County Council meeting Wednesday to speak out by saying saying "don't cut our contracts" in budget discussions for 2009.
Montgomery County (Map, News) - Hundreds of raucous Montgomery County union members left a council meeting Wednesday hopeful that their raises wouldn’t be reduced by council members looking to solve a $297 million budget gap.
During a preliminary discussion on employment costs, the council voted 6-2 against cutting $40 million in unspecified employment costs, as recommended by their Management and Fiscal Policy Committee last Friday.
Council Vice President Phil Andrews and Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg, who chairs the committee, said it was not fair to discuss slicing services and raising taxes without asking for some cuts from labor. They were the only two votes Wednesday in favor of reducing employment costs.
Andrews has consistently spoken out against union contracts that promise raises of 8 percent in many cases, but Trachtenberg caught some union leaders off-guard last week when she proposed reducing cost of living adjustments by 2 percent for most county employees.
“I have a full appreciation of the services our employees provide on a consistent basis, but I believe we are facing very difficult fiscal times,” Trachtenberg said. “I am of the belief that down the road, things are going to get rockier and the steps we take now will determine how prepared we are to deal with that.”
The capacity crowd of teachers, firefighters, police officers and union members from all walks of life shouted over both Andrews and Trachtenberg interrupting the council’s debate at various points until Council President Mike Knapp used a gavel to call for order.
Union members roared in support of the six council members who said they did not want to tamper with existing union contracts.
“It’s not about percentages [of raises], it is about what people actually make,” Council man Marc Elrich said to loud applause. “When you think about what starting teachers and firefighters make, you’re not talking about an exotic labor aristocracy here.”
Gino Renne, president of the county government employees union, said he was pleased with the day, but acknowledged that Andrews and Trachtenberg could hold up the entire budget tomorrow if they feel strongly enough about cutting employment costs. Seven of the eight council members must agree on a budget.
“They walked away thinking they’re going to win,” Marv Weinman, president of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League said. “But it remains to be seen if they’re gonna get enough votes to make this final.”
kmiller@dcexaminer.com
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