Statement from Yonkers Minority Leader John Murtagh on the Sanitation Slowdown
News & Info … Yonkers Councilman John Murtagh
Sanitation Workers institute a City-wide Slowdown on Garbage Pick-up
As I am sure you have seen this week, it appears that the union representing our sanitation workers has decided to respond to necessary budget cuts with a work slow down and job action. It is unfortunate that, as Yonkers struggles with a 90 million dollar budget shortfall, our municipal unions have consistently resisted helping the taxpayers and residents get through this difficult period. Instead they have only called for more taxes.
In order to restore services and stop layoffs their way it would have been necessary to raise property taxes over 30 per cent. Since such a tax hike would be an unfair and outrageous burden, Councilmen Larkin, Shepherd and I had called for all City workers (including elected officials) to take a 5 per cent pay cut. This simple sacrifice, along with coming state aid would have avoided the need for one day a week garbage pick up and virtually all other service cuts.
Unfortunately, because the Unions would not step up to the plate, cuts became necessary in every City department including police, fire and sanitation. Now with the results of their refusal at hand, it appears the unions are now compounding the problems with a slow down. Unfortunately, I can only beg your patience as the Mayor, Councilmen Larkin and I fight to instill some fiscal restraint during this difficult economy.
Thank you for your understanding and do not hesitate to contact me with you questions and suggestions.
Sincerely,
John
John M. Murtagh
Yonkers City Council, Dist. 5
Minority Leader
John M. Murtagh | City Council, City of Yonkers | City Hall | 40 South Broadway, Suite 407 | Yonkers | NY | 10701
