Public Employee Press

Political Action 2012
City budget restores cuts, saves thousands of jobs

For the fiscal year that began July 1, the city administration was planning severe cuts in services, including wiping out 47,000 child-care slots and closing swimming pools and libraries, as well as layoffs of over 1,000 library workers and 650 school support staff.

But cutback plans ran into a buzz saw of opposition as DC 37 fought back with a campaign of rallying, negotiating and testifying at City Council hearings that gained overwhelming support. Finally the City Council voted to restore millions of dollars in funds to save jobs and public services, and Dept. of Education officials reached an unprecedented agreement with the union that protects all school workers represented by DC 37 from layoffs for the coming school year.

"After years of painful budgets, it felt good to see a city spending plan adopted with virtually no layoffs," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

The funding restorations the union won included the following:

• The $27.8 million that went to the Dept. of Education helped to save 415 School Aide jobs, 29 SAPIS drug and alcohol counselors and 200 central staff in various titles.
• $90 million went to libraries and cultural institutions that were very concerned that budget cuts would cause layoffs and service reductions. The funding restoration guaranteed continued five-day service and no loss of jobs. The money helped to save 1,565 library jobs in the Brooklyn, Queens and New York public library systems and prevent the closure of up to 46 branches. The cultural institutions received a $25.2 restoration.
• The restoration of $29.4 million saved jobs at the Parks Dept., stopped the closure of four swimming pools, and kept the other pools open for longer. The funds also helped save the Job Training Participant Program, seasonal workers' positions and Playground Associates, who supervise recreation activities in local parks.
• The Administration for Children's Services received $1.9 million and was able to restore 73 child protective staff positions.
• The Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene received $9.5 million to help keep Child Health Clinics open and continue other public health initiatives.