City Workers to Protest Furlough Days

The first of 13 furlough days for City of Concord employees happens Friday — but some workers plan to show up anyway.

Employees backed by Teamsters Local 856 will protest the furlough day, claiming that the mandatory shut-down of city services is unlawful. Participating workers include those from the Field and Operations Unit and the Administrative, Clerical and Technical Unit. These employees answer 911 calls, repair and maintain city streets, monitor water and sewer lines, maintain city parks, issue business licenses and building permits, process background checks and subpoenas, and impound cars, as well as other public services.

A press release from Teamsters Local 856 states that, "despite the passage of Measure Q in 2010, which raised city revenue for the express purpose of protecting and maintaining Concord’s municipal services, the city is ignoring the voters’ referendum and forcing city services to be shut down."

The union press release also states: "The City’s own budget projection includes sizable surpluses; however it is still forcing furlough days and cutting city services. City employees maintain that in some cases, furloughs actually exacerbate costs by increasing the amount of overtime the city must pay other employees to cover essential functions."

Workers planning to show up Friday "feel passionately about serving the citizens who voted in 2010 to preserve and maintain the essential city services that they perform," according to the press release.

The city has stated that it intends to discipline any employee who attempts to provide public services, according to the union.

What do you think of the 13 mandatory furlough days for City of Concord employees? Share your thoughts below.