Amid layoffs, some city employees got hefty raises

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Amid layoffs, some city employees got hefty raises
Salaries of four Atlanta workers rose more than $15,000

By ERIC STIRGUS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/01/08

More than two dozen Atlanta employees received raises last month about the same time Mayor Shirley Franklin announced her plan to lay off nearly 80 city workers.

Four workers saw their salaries jump by more than $15,000, city records show.

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One union leader said Friday the raises need to be investigated.

"It was bad timing in light of the layoffs and budget problems," said Gina Pagnotta, a Public Works employee who is president of the city's Professional Association of City Employees. "It gives an impression of laying off some to give raises to others."

City officials defended the salary increases, noting most of the 28 workers making more money were promoted and that many of them are performing more duties.

"The important thing is [the increases are] within the budget," said Benita Ransom, the city's commissioner of Human Resources. "It wasn't as if people were laid off to give other people raises. These people are performing more duties. You have to pay people for that."

Still, the timing of the salary hikes rankled some city leaders.

"It certainly is not the most sensible thing for us to do with the recent layoffs," said Councilwoman Felicia Moore, who pressed city officials earlier this week for information about rumored raises.

Fourteen of the 28 workers who received raises last month were firefighters. The others were City Council staff members and planning, airport and watershed management employees.

The promotions and raises were submitted by department directors. They went to the city's Human Resources department and then to the city's chief operating officer for final approval.

The payroll records were obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution under the Georgia Open Records Act.

On June 27, the City Council asked Franklin to cut spending by $14.6 million rather than approve her plan to raise property taxes to balance the budget for the fiscal year that started July 1.

While Franklin's staff worked on a plan to cut the budget, some city workers received salary increases. Twenty city workers got raises on July 10. A day later, Franklin said she was laying off 78 city workers and not filling 112 vacant positions.

Moore said the raises highlights the need for the council to have greater oversight over some personnel matters. The council recently passed legislation that requires department directors to provide written justification for raises or promotions. The changes must be approved by the council's Finance/Executive committee.

Franklin vetoed the legislation earlier this week, saying the changes will slow city operations.

"Reverting to a process that requires council to adopt legislation for each personnel transaction is burdensome and inefficient," she wrote in a letter dated Thursday.

The council is scheduled to vote whether to override Franklin's veto at its Aug. 18 meeting.

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Comments

By Walt

Aug 2, 2008 5:28 AM | Link to this

The firefighters graduated from recruit school and were assigned to fire stations. Recruit pay is less that firefighter pay. We also have people that have taken on more responsibilities after being demoted but no raises. In my section I have two Captains and one Lieutenant performing duties that Chief Officers performed with no extra compensation. There are several Chief Officers that were demoted and performing more duties with no extra compensation. I feel bad that I didn't fight for my people now, but I know the city is strapped for cash and we played by what we thought were the rules. I see no justification in the raises given to most.

By watchdog

Aug 2, 2008 1:37 AM | Link to this

You racists are too blinded by bigotry to see the truths. Are you aware that the longest tenured REPUBLICAN US Senator just got indicted? Of course he's white. Meanwhile, Bush/Cheney have made the Dollar the new peso, run the economy into the ground, and piled up the largest debt and deficits in history. How do you explain that in your racist theories? You make me embarrassed to be white.

By watchdog

Aug 2, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this

By Stunned

Aug 1, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

I am shocked by the racially motivated comments that I'm sure mostly white people have made. This city is filled with hate and sadness. It is jealousy, envy and intimidation that fuels comments about "us BLACK folks." I'm here to say that WE are not going anywhere and as long as WE can vote, WE will continue to and elect someone that is qualified and hopefully OUR own. Racist comments like the ones I have read, only makes me want to be better than you and "run the show." I honestly feel sorry for you racists, uneducated, ignornant people. Educate yourselves dixiewife44 and msmith. Take your cowardice hood off and realize that the world is not about whitey anymore. It's about all races, whether you like it or not. You can continue to hide behind your posts on the ajc or whatever racially group you belong to. At the end of the day, we all know that you are a bunch of weak and fearful individuals.

By dixiewife44

Aug 1, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Just another example on why blacks shouldnt be allowed in a gov office. gimme gimme gimee.

By lala

Aug 1, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

If my co-workers were laid off and I had to take on further responsibility, I would require a raise, too.

By Boots

Aug 1, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

Regarding the city and country leadership, I hope the poor guy who's coming to Grady doesn't move his wife and family down and buy a house.

His life expectancy will be about that of a tailgunner in a B-29

By GetALife

Aug 1, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

OK...I've learned several things while living in ATL.

1. People are ignorant.
2. They don't read the whole story and make intelligent responses.
3. It's always black and white.
4. People only want to sit and whine.

...and for those idiots...the story is about questionable raises after layoffs. The mayor had nothing to do with the approval of those raises.

By Maude

Aug 1, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Nothing shockes me anymore. I quess it is who you know not what you know or do that gets the axe or the raise. Between Atlanta and Clayton County I tell people I live in middle Georiga and change the subject before they can ask where.

By Paintman

Aug 1, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

Corey, 92.3% of all people employed by the city of Atlanta are Black folks. I did look into it. So you tell me, what are the chances of one of the upper Managers that received salary increases are of some other racial make-up. Get you head outta your rear end , wake up and smell the roses.

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