After more than a year of wrangling, the city of Atlanta is close to awarding a $90,000 cash settlement to eight former parking enforcement employees who were fired to pave the way for PARKatlanta.
Instead of a lengthy and costly court hearing, the city’s law department recommended the settlement, to close the matter.
The city council now has to approve the payout to the eight, who were members of the Professional Association of City Employees (PACE).
“I am quite pleased,” said Mary J. Huber, the attorney for the fired workers. “It showed a lot of tenacity on the union’s part.”
In May 2008, the city laid off 21 parking enforcement employees in a move toward privatization and the hiring of PARKatlanta.
Eight of those workers were members of PACE, and were represented by Huber.
Huber said she argued that the workers were never allowed to challenge the reason for the “riff,” or reduction in force.
“We argued they were not being let go because of lack of funds or work production, but because of outsourcing,” Huber said, adding that the city code requires that the city council has to make the decision on outsourcing.
“This was strictly human resources under the Shirley Franklin administration, meaning they did riffs without council approval,” Huber said. “This is the only way to keep the city honest.”
Franklin, who served two terms as mayor, was unmoved by the criticism.
"I took actions throughout my public career -- including as mayor -- on the advice and counsel on the city attorney," Franklin said. "Another point of view from the opposing attorney is not a surprise to me.”
The Fulton County Superior Court agreed that the fired workers were entitled to a hearing, but the city appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court, which dismissed the appeal.
The final hearing had been set to start next Monday.
Once the council approves the settlement, Huber said the eight workers will split the $90,000.
“The City of Atlanta Law Department is in active litigation and we are unable to comment on this matter. However, we can confirm that a settlement offer has been extended to the Plaintiffs which will require City Council and Mayor approval,” the city's law department said in a statement.
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