HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 10-08 Maplewood managaer says labor dispute could lead to layoffs DISPATCH ma . o manager says labor .: . .
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A dispute over sa ries cheaper to settle with the No way, he stated. does . Councilman Burt Mur-
in Maplewood could result employes than go to arbi- he want to give in to the dock said he was upset
in the layoff of some mu- tralion. employes on that demand. over the lengthy negotia-
n i c i p a I employes. City "This could cost us a "There's not another tions, which began early
Manager Michael Miller bundle,"heexplained• city in Minnesota that I thisvear, i,
told the city council. "But a settlement on know of that allows em- But he said he learned a
His remark came after the basis of what they ployes to determine lesson from it all.
Councilman Norm Ander-
(employes) want will cost whether or not you (city "If this gets settled be-
son suggested .that the
you more than a bundle, c o un, c i I). will subcon- fore I die." he reported.
Miller warned. tract, he said.
city compromise in an at- "there's never going to be
tempt to avoid arbitration "I have a budget I have Miller said he resents as long as I'm sitting
been slaving over, just inferences that, as the here — any more negoti-
uith Local 2125 of the ` tr in t to avoid layoffs," council's contract negotia-
American Federation of y „ Y ating (by) a manager of
he added. If you go to a tor. he could have come
State,County &Municipal settlement in excess of to an agreement with the this city. We'll hire a pro-
Employes. fessional team of negotia-
our last offer, you'll be employes with a little „
In response to queries facinlayoffs." moreeffort. tors.
from Anderson.M i I 1 e r Miller said employes lie also said ending up Murdock contended that
said arbitration costs $300 were concerned over pos- in arbitration was not all the m a n a g e r and the
daily--just for the three sible loss of their jobs. that bad. councilmen lack qualifica-
arbitrators. As an e x a m p I e. he "Look around you." he tions asnegotiat negotiators.
hard
And Maplewood a I s o pointed out that they are a d v i s e d the council. get
will have to pay a labor insisting on a guarantee. "You'll see a lot of people feeling." he concluded,
consultant an undeter- ;ritten into the contract. going to arbitration—lots "Assigning this guy t Mill-
mined amount of money. that nobody will be fired of teachers and everybody ert to negotiate was about
the manager said. ' . as long as the city subcon- else. I think this is the the biggest mistake we
Anderson said it may be tracts for any work. best way to go." ever made."