YOUR COMMENTS

To those who feel unions are outdated and unnecessary....

I have been a union employee for 8 years. I work for a small town in NH that I will not mention for fear of retaliation from my bosses. I am a woman working in a non-traditional job. Since I was hired, I have been faced with an endless number of incidents of gender bias and harassment. It is sickening to think about, and when I share stories with people outside of my working environment they are astonished.

Time and time again my bosses try to treat me unfairly, such as denying vacation days, and denying positions or promotions where I am the most qualified because of my gender.

It is the protection of my union that keeps my ancient bosses in line and forces them to treat me fairly. I never thought there was a need for unions either until I lived as a town employee. The antics of the department heads is never made public. And that a good thing, because people would be horrified at the terrible way some of us are treated.

You may ask why we stay in these jobs? I love what I do, and I love the people in the community I serve. I agree that unions have their issues, but the protection they offer me is worth it.
- HLAJ, Southern NH

As a city employee I have no problem taking a week off unpaid if it means I can keep my job. Having been laid of twice from jobs in the public sector twice in my life, I don't not want to get laid off again. I was forced to join the union, either join the union of or get fired, semms fair right...NOT! I am not lazy or greedy, nor do I make tons of money. I work hard every day and do the best I can to support my family. It bothers me that so many citizens think that all city employees are, fat, lazy, & do nothing all day, glad to see you are all so gratefull for the work I do. I DO NOT ARGEE WITH THE UNION!!!!!!! I'll take the week off to keep my job thank you! The Union does not speak for us all....
- John, Manchester

Let's Save everyone a 2.5% property tax increase and have the greedy city workers pay fifteen times that in a furlough tax! What? They won't agree? Wow they're greedy!....Lay them off then!
- Dave, Manchester

I don't understand that logic, people on this blog would rather a city employee lose a week and a half's pay which could result in well over hundreds of dollars instead of a tax hike which I understand would be about 3.00 dollars a week. That kind of logic only makes sense in Manchester. Yeah the city employees are the greedy ones! I don't want to imagine if a family has TWO city employees that have to take the furlough, how screwed that family will be?
The same people who are complaining about how greedy the city employees are, will be the first to complain when city services slow down during those furloughs by the way!
- Nate, Manchester

Let's Save everyone a 2.5% property tax increase and have the greedy city workers pay fifteen times that in a furlough tax! What? They won't agree? Wow they're greedy!....Lay them off then!
- Dave, Manchester

I support the mayor, if the unions don't want to agree take a pidly little 7 days off without pay, then they can explain to their newest members why they are getting laid off. Everyday the economy gets worst, 600 million out of work. GM on the brink of bankruptcy, hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake. Good luck, hang on, it's going to be a wild ride.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

What greed. Why would the unions risk going to court, striking, and forcing the lay off of 90 city workers instead of 1 week less pay. I was laid off a few weeks ago. I would have much rather been shown the possibility of receiving 1 week less pay instead of getting the axe altogether. To quote a famous song "You can't always get what you want."
- Matt, Manchester

to ridley and clan, un-needed comment!
it tells me more about you than whom you speak!
- paul gagnon, manchester nh

Ridley and clan,

Having gun-toting, pot smoking, non law-abiding citizens patrolling our streets is not what NH needs.
- judy, Concord

I just hope they all these city employees live in this city. I"m hoping if they don't want to play ball with reducing city costs they they will be impacted with the explosion of our property tax like the rest of us.

Open your eyes, every company everywhere is having layoffs, 401k company matches frozen, forced days off, cutting of training expenses, travel expenses and on and on. Goverment has to be run as a business, not as an entitlement as some of these employees think it is.
- Jim, Manchester

I guess Mayor Guinta got his answer...city workers are not willing to do the right things during tough times.

Layoff 100 of these bums...the taxpayers won't care.
- Seth Connors, Manchester, NH

To Sandy in Thornton -- newspapers have been laying off for years because there has been a huge shift in readership from actual paper newspapers to online news. Last I checked nobody was using computers to pick up their trash, put out fires, patrol our streets, or enlighten our children.

There are three options for solving the budget shortfall: raise taxes, lay off city workers at the bottom of the seniority list, or ASK the unions if they will consider cost saving measures to save jobs.

Mayor Guinta chose instead to toss a molotov cocktail into the city in a cynical and disgraceful attempt to pit city workers against taxpayers. Divide and conquer in the name of $13.00. Good work, Frank.
- Fred, Amherst

To any/every one who has ever thought that government jobs are easy work for over-pay. Follow this link for a list of state-level jobs vacancies and apply at-will. Come, join our ranks and see what it is really like to work for government. Good luck with the hiring process though, it can be difficult even during the best of economic times.

A special invite goes out to all the cop-haters; State Police is testing for new Troopers. Come sign up and you can work all those highway details and see how much fun they really are.

http://admin.state.nh.us/hr/employmentlisting.html
- John, Plaistow

This from today's Boston Globe.

"The New York Times Co. has threatened to shut the Boston Globe unless the newspaper's unions swiftly agree to $20 million in concessions, union leaders said." The long and short of it is the NY Times has been subsidizing the Globe's losses and has said enough is enough.

City of Manchester union folks better get their heads of out the sand and pay attention to what is going on in the outside world. These types of situations in the business world are being published every day now. Most employees are seeing the wisdom behind giving up some pay or work time in return for retaining their jobs.
The arrogant, entitlement attitude being displayed is not amusing or helpful. The only ones who will lose are the unions.
- sandy, thornton

Cindy from Laconia......I think you need to "look up" what the city union heads receive for compensation. These are not high paid positions with first class travel and the perks of the rich and famous. Here in Manchester, the officers of the city unions receive a SMALL weekly stipend and still work at their regular positions. Compare the modest pay and the number of hours worked for the union membership and you'll find that they are working for less than minimum wage! Educate yourself and get the facts before you discredit the hard work of the union officials here in Manchester. I think you'd be surprised at the truth if you care to find it.
- John, Manchester

These comments are hilarious! The sad thing is that if you go back to articles about the city budget and the pay of city workers when times were financially good, the comments of the pathetic, vocal minority were spewing out the same party line. When times were good, the city workers were stil allegedly lazy and overpaid. While private sector jobs made astronomical gains, the union jobs made modest gains and the lunatic fringe ranted about the unions and their so-called, undeserved raises. Instead of the shouting and illogical diatribes, it's time to see that the unions are taking their current position because the talk and tactics from the mayor's office have resulted in nothing but distrust and distortion. I have read about how unions are no longer needed in this country, but the current climate is a perfect example of why unions are necessary. The Mayor and other misinformed zealots think that furloughs are a perfectly acceptable and legal budgeting method. If the unions were not there to stop this irresponsible action, City Hall would be allowed to ride roughshod over the middle class workers.

As I've seen written, this city has been rated the 2nd best, yes, SECOND BEST city in this nation for responsible taxes and spending.....this is not an easily achieved status and proves that the alderman are doing a fair and reasonable job in looking after the city's pursestrings. It's time to grow up and realize what we have and what we might lose if we are penny wise and pound foolish. I, as a taxpayer, do not want to overspend for anything, but we do not overspend and I do not mind one bit paying the reasonable current rate and a modest increase for the current level of services that are provided. Keep up the good work aldermen, don't be swayed by those who shout without substance!
- John, Manchester

http://www.guintaforcongress.com/

Ya think Franky is running for sumthin?
Why would Ron Vars (big supporter of Giuliani --who Guinta also endorsed..) Own the domain name http://www.guintaforcongress.com as of March 7 2009????
- Jim, Manchester

Come on union folks be happy you have a job take a week off and enjoy your families and think about all that you have to be thankful for! Give a little and try to help out the economy rather than just your own wallets. hard to feel sorry for them
- kim bennett, colebrook

Ryan, Hooksett..

I am a teacher. I am paid from September X to June 30. PERIOD..... The teachers conceded to let the city pay us through the summer to save the CITY monies. We are technically being paid during the summer for work that happened the previous FISCAL year. In most school districts the staff are paid in 21 week pay checks. The pay stops JUNE 30. They are not given a check over the summer (so they must budget wisely). This is because they DO NOT work during the summer. Before you spout your "HOOKSETTness", get your facts straight!!!
- JIM C., Manchester

in response to Richard in Manchester. You say "then go ahead and lay me off. I'll find a better job somewhere else?" WOW. Do you even keep up with the news. People are lining up to apply for jobs. You need a reality check. The odds are stacked against you. If you have a job, be grateful. There are many people who don't who would gladly take yours and not whine. UNIONS DO NOT WORK FOR THE WORKER! Fire the Union instead and you'll find life a lot better. By the way, have you ever researched the salary of these union employees or asked about their "conferences". Try that next. Good luck to you in your job search. You'll need it.
- Cindy, Laconia

Does anyone actually believe the unions will agree? The only thing unions ever seem to want to do is to assert their power ("We'll show them!") and to hell with those they are supposed to be representing, the "little guys".

It's happened too often in the past that unions have said "To hell with the demands of the employers! Let them shut the place. We'll just picket!" and when the employer decides to close the doors, or move the company overseas and people lose their jobs, is it the union bosses who wind up paying? No, it's always "the little guy"!
- Guy Plante, Manchester

Mayor Guinta,
I respect and admire your actions to keep the city going and attempt to save the TAXPAYERS some money.

My brother was a Teamster (ever heard of them?) for St. Johnsbury Trucking. Ever wonder what happened to that company? The Teamsters ruined them. They wouldn't concede to some concessions to save the company during tough times, so it went under. Hundreds lost their jobs and careers. So much for the union.

The city unions know that they will not go out of business. They should all take the furlough, except for essential emergency services.

They would rather see the new guys get laid off than spare them their jobs by losing one week of pay. So much for loyalty to their fellow workers.

God save the City!
- Bill, Manchester

Excellent idea! Let's have the free stators enforce the laws. Nothing like a bunch of nothing better to do contrarians on patrol. These chumps strap on iron and scare the robert tarr out of normal people in order to prove a point. They are so disillusioned that they think that they serve a purpose!....Get them out there quick!
- Brad, Manchester

I do not support this mayor, evidenced by my words below. However, did vote for (and I am a union member and active Democrat who leans middle-to-conservative) but will not again for whatever office he aspires.

What rattles most is the way he tossess things out, then points his finger. This is leadership? Then heads off out of state to consult with others about what office to run for next. Huh?

One thing I will state... I am not sure about the legality of furloughs. My sense is that they "Are" legal. Something these union bossess should consider is that LAYOFFS ARE LEGAL!
- Jack, Manchester

Yeah, sure, Ridley, I'm sure the mayor will get right on your offer.
- Clyde, Manchester

It's hilarious to listen to people refer to City Union employees as greedy!These greedy employees are doing nothing but holding on to what they have earned. While everybody enjoyed the boom of the late 90's and most of 2000. City employees never received more than a 2% raise. While they watched friends and family virtually print money, they remained dedicated loyal underpaid city workers. Now, in an economic downturn, they are asked to forfeit 140% of a weeks pay in order to spare everybody else five hundred bucks in the form of a tax increase! Yeah they are greedy! You can probably discern that I am one of those selfish greedy City Union workers. Just so I have it straight, I contribute $1500 to spare my neighbor a third of that. Give me a break! Just govern responsibly, honor your commitments, and make some tough decisions. As opposed to taking the easy way out by balancing the budget on the backs of the always unpopular city employees.
- Dave, Manchester

If it's illegal to make workers take the furlough then I guess it won't be illegal to lay off workers if you can't pay them. Lay off the city workers if the money isn't there. Welcome to the new suck economy city workers. You're just starting to inhale the fumes. Wait until the crap hits the city fan !!
- Johnny, Manchester

My offer still stands - As a member of the Free Staters, we will patrol the streets of Manchester while the police take furloughs. No problem! We are all armed and capable. I hope the mayor will give this serious consideration.
- David Ridley, Manchester

To the teachers on the board that are upset at this proposal, choose one:

- Stop telling me I only work 183 days! This is an all-year profession and I am offended that you don't see this.
- Don't you know I only work 183 days? You can't furlough me because I don't work a full year. I can't believe you don't see this!

You cannot have it both ways.
- Ryan, Hooksett

The UNIONS are the problem - Government workers, Teachers, Detroit, all of them. They have gone past there day. City and Government employees have contracts - not one of them is paid for performance - just step increases. Most people in Unions, other then the Bosses have no say and must follow the party line or else. Unions - Congress, they are all in bed together and the rest of us better wake up. It is not the $13.00 as much as the principal of the thing. Our house has one unemployed, one no raises and two kids no camp this year - while to try to pay the bills. I have no doubt that this City could do just as well and be no worse off with 90-190 less employees. I have no issue with Police and Fire - they put their life on the line, but, give me a break those plow drivers that barrel through the City are doing it for overtime not for the love of the rest of us
- Bill, Manchester

Riiight...so its legal for UNH to consider furloughs, but the city Democrat Unions are going to attack Guinta and accuse his budget as illegal because it is illegal in their opinion. So is what UNH doing illegal too??? I doubt it....I think this is just a political stunt full of threats coming from the union bosses...
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas

Are you union bashers kidding me? You would be willing to lay people off because they would not volunteer to give up seven days of pay, so you can save $13? Has this city ever opened up a union contract when times are good, and there is a surplus of money, and given them an extra weeks pay? Of course not. Don't balance the budget on employees backs!
- Michael, Manchester

The mayor is not going to lay anyone off. It is a game and the unions aren't biting. I will defend the city workers in that when times are good, they have decent jobs and benefits and when times are bad they have decent jobs and benefits. People in the private sector can do really well in the good times and can do far worse in the bad times. There is no corruption, the union workers just have an entity to protect them and the private sector people don't therefor they are envious.
- Frank, Manchester

If they don't want to be part of the solution then LAY THEM OFF!
- Fred Leonard, Rochester, NH

The unions helped build this country and they're going to bring this country down. Unions started out helping the working man. Now they only protect the sick, lame, and lazy.
- Michelle, bristol

It is against the law and the mayor knows it - and if he doesn't, then I question his ability to be mayor. There are certain things a mayor should know. Of course, this is all propaganda on his part anyway.
What a wonderful leader - get the city workers to take all of the blame for mismanagement of funds.
Again, why hasn't the mayor come out with a second or third alternative? He should be meeting with his aldermen and women rather than playing games.
- corey d., manchester, nh

Having been a member of 2 unions over the years and observing the attitudes and actions of union members, I've come to the conclusion that it is imperative that the breakup of unions is imperative to the survival of America.
You will never see a bigger group of self-serving backstabbers. They will eat their own.
Big Dig Big Dig Big Dig. Hahaha.
Avoid the union label.
Can't wait for you card check guys to come around my shop.
- Michael, Manchester

Everyone should get ALL the facts before they spew...... Teachers already have 78 UNPAID days you want us to take 7 more???? I thought we were a District In Need of Improvement, how are we to improve if we keep interrupting the students learning, with all the disruptions at present, discipline issues it is a wonder there is any learning at all.
- RG, NH

There was a time when Labor Unions served a useful purpose to protect employees but that time is long gone.

We have a myriad of overly cumbersome labor laws that provide fair protections against abuse in all 50 States.

Why shouldn't Labor Unions share in the ups and downs of the economy?

Instead they are a boat anchor on Communities and our Economy with nonsense laws like the Greenday provision that Concord passed last year.

I'm in no way Anti-Union but the pendulum has swung too far in one direction and these unions need to be reigned in. If they are not each of us Taxpayers are the ones that will be unfairly punished for Union abuses of the Economy.
- JP, Warner

Shame on the mayor for not looking into every unions specific situation before announcing his intentions. He's now playing poker with his cards face up on the table.
- Jim Wilson, Manchester

I thinks some of these "public"sector union employees fail to remember: You work for us. I'm willing to bet if you took a secret vote, most would take the 7 days off instead of a trip to the unemployment line. This sense of entitlement that some of these public employees demonstrate needs to be corrected one way or another. If it wasn't for us, John Q. Public, you wouldn't have a job.
- Dale, Manchester

Oh dear lord. We're all in deep trouble. Look at everyone fighting with each other. Nobody willing to work together. Every man for himself. It's the end of America and what it stood for so long ago.
- John, Manchester

Time for the Mayor to go!!! I didn't vote for him last time and I won't vote for him this time. I feel for those who have lost there job but your career choices have put you in a job that would not make it through this difficult time. The economic crisis has been building for some time and if you didn't see it coming and accomodate than I am sorry, why do we now need to take that out on the teachers and firefighters of our city. Believe me the Mayor and ideas like this are the reason I would like to move out of Manchester and to a town that has some leadership. I call for a vote of no confidance in the Mayor.
- Dan, Manchester

"Simone brings up a great point, everyone is so quick to want the city workers to give up a weeks pay. Why not ask all the residents to give up a weeks pay, or even a portion of their weeks pay" JD Manchester

Hey JD in Manchester, many of the taxpayers have had to take pay cuts and other cutbacks already in the private sector. The difference here is people think the city will crumble if city workers have to take 7 days off with no pay. Well, many corporations are doing the same thing and the corporations are not crumbling. The city will not fall if workers take 7 days off without pay. The sky will not fall and the world will not end.
- Mike, Manchester

Why such hatred against the unions? Maybe if the "dreaded" private sector had more unions to actually look out for the private sector employee, not so many of you would be on here complaining about lost wages, benefits, and layoffs.

Unions protect workers. Why should the boss be able to arbitrarily reduce your pay or benefits just to see their bottom line grow. Unions are the only way for the worker to get a fair shake against the almighty boss. Unions work and if you're honest with yourself, you will see that is the truth. Get in touch with a union organizer and get signed up before your boss takes away more of your pay or benefits.
- John, Plaistow

The fire department first at the dais and cannot understand why. Most have lucrative side-jobs. Would it affect that much? Heck, a firefighter can take a two month vacation, as long as his shift is covered. Where it costs is when that coverage cannot make...then another is brought in. With me? Overtime.

I suspect the union heads will come round. A furlough or layoffs. What is there to think about here?

More than the perceived arrogance of the union heads is this mayor, who I voted for. Not again, whether it be for his present office, congress, or senate. His lack of leadership is blinding. No, he'll leave for a higher elected office and leave this community in his wake in shambles. He was tempted to run for governor a year ago, then saw the poll results in a match with Gov Lynch. But, confident he be, evidenced by his recent visits to DC. Wonderful, eh?
- Jack, Manchester

So, if the union bosses refuse to listen to both the majority of the taxpayers & to their own members...go ahead with layoffs, but start with the UNION BOSSES!

Those guys at the top don't care if folks get laid off, because it won't be THEM, and they know it. They don't give a rat's behind about the low folks on the totem pole and we ALL know it.

Just about everyone I know is pinching pennies and cutting back. One of my friends was just told by his employer that they must all take TWO WEEKS unpaid furlough between now and June, or the company may not survive. They're also looking at the possibility that they may need to do it again after June. I don't see why public employees should be any different than the rest of us.
- Donna S, Manchester

Go union! You tell them! Treat the city the same way your brother union did to Pan Am and teach them a lesson... Oh wait! Didn't Pan Am go out of business and all these union people lose their jobs because of it? Sorry, wrong example.
- Jim D, Hillsboro

We hear stories of teachers forgoing scheduled raises to save positions at their schools. Everyday workers are not getting raises or bonuses they were counting on. Perks and benefits are going by the wayside. We are all making sacrifices.

What the mayor is proposing is more than reasonable as a stop gap measure. And nowhere does it say you have to take a week off consecutively. Spread it out to lessen the hit. Beats no pay.

As for the Union bosses, their brethren did a great job in Detroit for our auto industry! Let's hope they don't lead us down the same hole here.

Unions today?
They're so 60's....
- Angelo, Manchester, NH

The next time you hear the unions saying they are here "for the children" of "performing a public service." Remember what is happening now. Unions are out for themselves first. They don't care a lick about your family, your kids, or your situation. With raises frozen and layoffs abounding in the dreaded private sector, the only safe place right now seems to be suckling at the public teat.
- WS, Manchester

let's lay off any union worker who doesn't agree to the furlough.
- Tim, Manchester

I could care less if it's Unions or anyone else refusing to at least negotiate on this...I had to take a pay cut too, mine equals out to just over a weeks pay - did I have a choice, did my taxes go down? nope....am I happy about it? No way, but in these times we all have to make sacrifices, why should a few think they are far more privileged than the rest of us - too bad we really are a selfish nation and in this case...city that we can't think beyond our own nose to help another....instead of digging in your heels, why not dig in and help find a compromise....this isn't the ONLY solution, but it's a start on working through what is a tough situation for all.
- Kim, Manchester

I think it's ridiculous that as smart as Guinta is supposed to be, this was the only idea he could come up with to balance the budget. Doesn't seem to me that he worked real hard at it. I guess the furlough just happened to fit his political agenda better. Sad, very sad.
- Frank, Manchester

In response to Deb from Manchester: So it's "my union, right or wrong"? I belong to one of the construction unions in Boston, which I will not name here for fear of retribution from some of the more fervent rank and file. I support unions and am very thankful for the working conditions and benefits unions have achieved for all but we need to see us, the unions, from the point of view of others who are employees at will and business owners. In regards to city services residents are confounded by trash barrels left in the street and as to what time and day the trash will actually be picked up, snow plows with blades down on barely wet pavement coming by every ten minutes and not a truck to be seen for hours when there are inches of snow on the street and why good young teachers are let go in the favor of poor teachers with tenure. These are just a few example of union inefficiency on display in Manchester regularly. It is rather crass to ask people to spend any more money when it would appear to be throwing good money after bad. In my own personal union experience it floors me that laziest and stupidest guy in my gang is getting the same rate as I am, while I'm doing his work as well as my own. If the union didn't act as a shield for those whose goal in life is to get paid to do as little as possible, we wouldn't hear union bashing.
- Union Member, Manchester

In my household, we have 2 city workers (teachers). Why should MY household be punished over $2000 so the taxpayers (my household included) can save $200. Thats BS!

Mr Mayor that IS a tremendous TAX increase for MY household! -How about lowering MY property tax bill in accordance with the dollars you are "trying" to rape from me?
- JIM, Manchester

Hey Matt and and Rick, how about you get your facts before commenting. The day that Guinta released his budget was when he said that he of course would be included in taking the week furlough and would happily go without pay for that week in order to save city jobs.

You guys really need to try getting your facts straight before commenting.
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester

I guess I need to side with Mayor Guinta. While you are allowed to bicker about wages and job losses, and refusal to negotiate on the like, be mindful that there are folks that do not have your luxury. I am not trying to say you have it easier or harder than I. But, I wish I could have told my company officials I refused my paycut, or my unpaid time off. I wish I could have denied them the right to eliminate the match to my 401K. Also, to Richard L. Before you say, "Lay me off, I will find another job." With unemployment rising above 8%, my question to you is where?
- Adam, Manchester

Jack, your calculations forget benefits. If someone goes on a 1 week unpaid furlough they still get benefits. You lay them off, you save that money as well as salary.
- Dan, Manchester

The Mayor has a lot of stones saying that the Unions aren't willing to come up with alternatives when he is the one who drew the line in the public sand. He could've met with the Unions before he went public and tied their hands. For those Unions that have contractual provisions that cover hours worked and compensation, good luck Mr. Mayor. I hope that the Mayor would be the first one in line to take his week off without pay. For those of you that are willing to take a furlough, the moment that you start giving in to the employer they will keep on taking until they decide to send you packing anyway. For those of you thinking that you will ever get any of those benefits you give up back, keep dreaming! Those Unions all sat at the table and made their contracts in good faith, the City should do the same and not ask the Unions to violate those agreements.
- Rick, Manchester

Can't afford to lose a week's pay? Then try 52 weeks.

Take the furlough, and work a week at Labor Ready if need be.
- BW, Concord

I certainly hope none of the union-people here who don't want to break the contract and give back even a penny or an hour, were not the same ones last week screaming about getting the AIG bonuses back. They had a contract too. I remember only a very few that wanted them to keep it....
One thing most are forgetting is that these contracts were done prior to the economic turndown. Yes negotiated in good faith by "both sides" but things are different now for all. I do not see any posts about people getting more benefits in the private sector. There all losing more.
A lot out there are asking the town for lower taxes period. Could be the mayor could just cut everyone's property taxes in Manchester by 15% and then layoff 300 workers to achieve that. I would say stop calling it a furlough. Let these people work the days and make it a temporary pay cut, call it what it is. Just like the private sector people are getting.
- Jim, Loudon

Then lay them all off. Perhaps a 52 week vacation may make them a bit more grateful.
- BW, Concord

Too bad none of you union bashers really know a thing about what you are talking about. My family has had a union worker in it for decades.
Unions are there for the "common man". To represent them against big bad politicians/business execs, who dictate how they are going to take food and benefits away from the common workers.
To keep tyrannical bosses from harrassing employees.
The fact of the matter is if you don't force government/and big business, to do things legally they probably will walk all over you.
Just look at the banks and their big bonuses!
Look at all the politicians who stepped down from being named to presidential cabinet positions. Why? Because they didn't pay their taxes like you and I do!
Do you really believe they didn't know about the money they owed?
So why would I balk at paying a lousy
$13.00 dollars a year on my tax bill to keep the same level of services in this city?

Before you react to what is being written in the "Union" Leader, take a moment and research some of the facts.

By the way, is this a "Union" paper? If not, then what a shame you kept the name.
- Deb, Manchester

Why doesn't the look at force retirements first. The police department has top level brass who are making huge salaries and should have retired years ago. They have at least ten employees making six figure salaries and are well past their retirement eligibilty. Why not force them to retire before lay-offs and furloughs. Who is worse than someone like that who sticks around because they have it easy, while others face lay-offs or are forced to give a weeks pay. It won't be the high-levels who will b e laid off.

The fire department and the highway department are no different. These higher level employees stick around, making $100,000.00 a year because they have it made. They should be forced to retire if they are past their retirement eligibility.
- Roger Gingras, Manchester

Just lay off the useless, overpaid layabouts.. why try to work with morons.
- tom, manchester,nh

It is ashame City workers have to give up a week of pay so the residents can save a couple hundred dollars on their taxes over the next year. In exchange the city worker will have to struggle to pay his monthly bills.

I am a city employee and have been for a few years. When the economy was booming no one offered to give the city employees large raises to make their pay equal to those in the civilian world. We continue to take from city workers such as the Police, Firefighters, Highway, and the Teachers, just to mention a few, but never give back to them when the residents of Manchester are making $90,000 a year. Many of these employees do the jobs that those who complain about us don't want to do.

The UL prints the salaries of many employees but do not explain these people work 60 or more hours a week to make enough money to pay our bills. We then miss many important holidays, weekends, and other events many of you take for granted. The residents of Manchester should be asking for a small tax increase to give back to the city employees to pay those who are teaching the future of our country what they are worth, to pay those who protect us what they deserve, to pay those who come day or night to treat us when we are injured or to put the fire out when our home is buring, and to pay those who do their best to make Manchester a clean city to live in. These people have a difficult job that those making cooperate salaries don't want to do for $40,000.00 a year.

The next time you see one of these people on the side of the road in the rain, snow, or in the middle of the summer as you drive by with your family toyour vacation home, or a family outing, stop and say thank you. And if you still think City employees have an easy job and are over paid, apply for some of these jobs and join the wonderful life of being a city employee.
- DS, Manchester, NH

I am a city worker who is not a union member and I will refuse to take the furlough! The mayor wants to lay me off? Have a ball! To think that my fellow citizens would rather punish a small group of people to save themselves $200.00 on their tax bill says it all. I am forced to make a sacrifice for who? Ungrateful residents. Lay me off - I'll find work somewhere else - somewhere better.
- Richard L., Manchester

Taking a week off without pay is not the answer. I can't afford to take a week off w/o pay so I don't know how a city worker can. We all have rent/mortgages and other bills to pay. Taking a week's pay is not the answer.

Has the bully, mayor Guinta, offered to go a week w/o pay too? I doubt it.

These workers sat at the table expecting the city to sit there in good faith. If this is what Bully Guinta thinks is good faith, then the city has many things to be concerned about.

Fortunately, the budget is out of Bully Guinta's hands at this point. Now it is the Aldermen's turn to take a crack at it.
- Matt, Lee

Is anyone really surprised that these selfish unions believe laws and business practices do not apply to them?
- Nick, Manchester

i said it before and i'll say it again...i hope all the people here calling for the unions to take the furlough didn't vote for the messiah obama!! because if you did, YOU voted for more unions and socialism.

as far as lay offs, ask the 90 who are lowest in senority how they feel about that?
- fpc, manchester

Simone brings up a great point, everyone is so quick to want the city workers to give up a weeks pay. Why not ask all the residents to give up a weeks pay, or even a portion of their weeks pay. I know your going to say you pay taxes, but so do the majority of city workers. I am a city worker and I know where I work we give up things on a daily basis. I can’t tell you how many times we change our schedule, work a day off in exchange just to save the city money and to get the job done. This doesn’t even bring up all the extra hours that are put in on a weekly basis that the employees don’t even put in for. We make more sacrifices then you can imagine that save the city money. I live in the city and pay my taxes and I too want the best service possible, but what everyone fails to see here is this isn’t reasonable to ask our city employees. I know the non-city workers have pointed out that they have taken a hit where they work, what about the city workers spouses that have taken a hit where they work or even lost their jobs. So if my calculations are right, the city workers give up a weeks pay, the spouse has lost something at their job and then we have to look at the inevitable of paying higher taxes. Nobody wants to see anyone lose their job, but in times of crisis we can’t put the burden on 3300 city workers. The city worker that lives in the city will be taking more then a reasonable sacrifice.
- JD, Manchester

How about cutting some of the FREE social services, money and handouts that this city gives out on a regualar basis to all of those who find some excuse to never work a day in their life or are here illegally, but yet we still have to provide for them.
- Pete, Manchester

Reading through the many comments is quite interesting. How can someone stand back and say yes they need to give up a weeks pay for the city. No one wants to give up a weeks pay. The mayor and aldermen should have been going a better job of balancing the budget and cutting wasteful spending rather than rely on employees to all take 7-days unpaid vacation. It is time for the city to do a manpower analysis and cut jobs that are no longer needed. As mentioned earlier why do four guys go out to fill a pot hole? I'm sure there are many jobs within the city that can be cut permenantly. This will save the city money in immediately and in the long run (i.e. retirement pension).
- Mike, Litchfield

I love how the city employees come on this board and try to scare the public with their rhetoric about if they have to take off 7 days then the city will have to pay someone overtime to fill their spot. Here is a novel concept: If you take off 1 day per month for 7 months there is no need to fill the shift or person. The scare tactics of the unions and the city employees is getting old. Time for the aldermen to get serious. Of course we will see the usual gaggle of aldermen who can't vote against the unions because they are so indebted to the unions they know if they vote against the unions, they will not get re-relected. How about this Aldermen: There are more taxpayers than union members.
- Mike, Manchester

Mike Roche should be the first one laid off. These union heads are absolutely out of touch with reality and if they can't give up a little bit then let the layoffs begin. Then we'll see just how much the Union does to help them out. So, the message is clear. The challenge has been laid down. The Unions v. the taxpayers. The Unions will lose this one big time. Let the layoffs begin...first with police, then fire, then highway and then all the others who think they are above the taxpayers.
- Mike, Manchester

Why can't the unions supplement the one week furlough to the people they represent (and collect from)?
- Joe, Chester

Times are tough all over, the company I work for has made cuts, 5% pay cut for everyone, no more paid sick leave, cutting back paid holiday's. As much as I dislike this, I have a job. The company is trying to cut back to ride this out without lay offs. If given the choice between cut back and layoffs I would have taken cut backs. The unions had a purpose 30 to 40 years ago, it's some of the reasons Detroit is in the problem there in. If the Unions do not want to help, lay off 90 people, do not spend the money to go to court. Going to court is a no win situation for everyone but the lawyers and judge. P.S. My company promises everything taken away will be given back in time.
- Craig McIntosh, Allenstown

Let 'em sue. Once these unions are proven WRONG... the City should SUE THEM to recoup the City's legal fees.

Let the unions raise their dues to then cover their own defense costs for pursuing a baseless lawsuit.Let 'em sue. Once these unions are proven WRONG... the City should SUE THEM to recoup the City's legal fees.

Let the unions raise dues to their member to cover their own defense costs for pursuing a baseless lawsuit in the first place.

For far too long unions have extorted American companies into moving jobs overseas and in some cases, into bankruptcy.

Now w/ the "union dues market" having died in the private sector, Unions have focused their attack on a much susceptible victim: Taxpayers.


For far too long unions have extorted American companies into moving jobs overseas and in some cases, into bankruptcy.

Now w/ the "uinion dues market" having died in the private sector, Unions have focussed their attack on a much much suscepable victim: Taxpayers.
- Chris, Bow

If the Union Heads refuse to discuss the proposal,.....just go ahead and lay off as many as need be to keep the tax rate as close to it is now. End of story. We all need to tighten our belts.
- Ray, Manchester

Mr. Tarr, as a resident of Ward 5 and a city employee who works well over 40 hours per week with no overtime, you certainly don't have my vote for Alderman. Remember, your ward is not on the north end of Manchester and many of the residents in this lower socioeconomic ward are actually city employees. Way to court your constituents! Let's see, 3300 employees pay an average of 1,000 dollars each, or all property tax payers in the city pay 13.50. As a tax payer, I'll take the latter as it is more equitable. For all of the fine Manchester citizens who are or are not taxpayers and call me often to let me know that they pay my salary, guess what, I pay my own salary....
- JF, Manchester

So the unions would prefer that the city fires people? Taxpayers in cities & towns throughout NH are stretched to the limit. Unions don't serve a purpose anymore, other than strangling competitive advantage. The new "union label" is sign that says "FACTORY CLOSED".
- James, Wilton

Pitting tax payers against City Workers

Nice leadership skills, Mayor! I thought a good leader worked towards bringing people together.

Maybe next term? I mean you, yourself said at the end of the first term you "didn't have time to get to the schools in your first term". You got to them now though.
- Kim, Manchester

Wow. Don't waste the money on a legal battle. JUST LAY THEM OFF. I work int he private sector. I didn't get a raise this year and I'll be lucky to have a job in 6 weeks. Why are the unions special? I pay taxes in Manch. I vote to lay of as many as necessary to avoid another tax increase.
- Jim, Manchester

Simone, you are an instigator, nothing more. Do I see your name here as providing your week of pay to solve this? Of course not! What you failed to notice is that many of the posters here have ALREADY lost a week of pay in their private sector employment. These people simply feel that when times are tough, the well-taken care of union worker should be willing to bite the bullet and give up something too. These people work FOR US. We are their BOSS. In the private sector when your boss tells you you are cut back to 4 days a week, then that's what happens, period.
- Molly W, Manchester, NH

For those that say the residents should step up (Simone) and contribute, I say that's Bull. I personally pay more than double what my Neighbor pays for property tax and his house is 20 feet away from mine. I think I'm over $4500 a year right now, I pay over $1000 a year for city car registration on 2 cars, Dog registration, Home Alarm Registration permit. My water bill just increased, my Sewer bill just doubled this past month. What hasn't increased....oh yeah, my actual paycheck.

Crime on my street has increased 10 fold, Traffic is out of controll, Property Taxes are no where near the current values, What has Manchester done for me other than make me feel unsafe, frustrated and broke? Take the Furlow and be happy you even have a job.
- Adam, Manchester

Start the lay offs then. I am sick and tired of my taxes going UP.
- Roger, Manchester

Whenever you blame a union for what they have in their contract, remember managemnet (in this case the city) had to agree with it at some point or the union would not have it in their contract. Negotiations are agreed to by BOTH sides - so blame the city as well as the big, bad) unions when discussing all the so-called perks that unions have negotiated for their members over the years, including seniority, lay-offs, furlough security, etc. Both sides need to sit down and talk not bark at each other . Good Luck, Manchester.
- Bee, Bristol

I find it truely amazing that the city has 17 unions! 17 organizations to interfere with productivity.
- Mark L, Manchester

It makes me wonder if the sharp decline in union membership over the past several decades has less to do with workers not wanting to join, but more to do workers not being able to afford to lose their jobs when the union takes a hard-line position that results in layoffs.

It's one thing when the employer is out to screw with the union. It is something else when the employer is in obvious financial distress and the union would rather suffer layoffs instead of re-opening its contract.

...and the unions don't understand why membership is on the decline.
- David R, Manchester

Someone explain WHY a city worker who is a resident should take a week off without pay totaling anywhere from $800 - $1500 dollars just to get the Mayor's promised $13.50 tax decrease, While each of a city employees/residents neighbors dont contribute anything to solving the situation.

The mayor is irresponsible for trying to balance the budget on the backs of city employees and pitting the community against city employees.

A responsible Mayor would propose a combination of tax increase, cuts to service, and layoffs/smaller furloughs but we dont have a responsible mayor.
- Joseph, Manchester

I have a great idea. Why don't we all come together as a community and help the city out. Why don't all of the people living in Manchester all donate a weeks pay to the city and we can save even more jobs. It is so easy for everyone to get all over the unions for not giving up a weeks pay. I would love to see all of theses union bashers step up to the plate. Have you ever heard of "leading by example"? Come on Richard Fortin, Chris, Ryan Feltner, Craig...
It is so easy to tell someone else to give up a weeks pay. By the way, I am not a city employee. Please post your name after you have sent your weeks pay check to help this city out. Come on people don't be cowards "show me the money".
- simone, manchester

What some of you fail to see is this. If they force me to take a 7 day furlough they will have to hire someone at the overtime rate to cover me - the furlough will then be costing the tax-payer more money to pay that over time shift. You guys are so big on bashing the unions but fail to see their logic. There is something called essential personel - and when you have to wait for the firemen to get there when your building is burning down because the fire house closest to you has most of its guys on furlough your gonna complain then too are you not? Or if the crime rate goes up cause there are not enough officers to cover the city you will complain then too right? Be very careful what you ask for cause you just might get it.
- Tracie, Manchester

There appear to be a consensus here that unions have essentially outlived their usefulness. While, in early 20th century industry which were predominantly owned by wealthy families, workers were subjugated and needed the collective power of unions to obtain what should have been offered by the factory owners. Undeniably, unions were instrumental in changing the workplace and giving employees a greater stake in the company they worked for. Now, they are generally counter-productive, add an extra layer of cost to the financial framework (which we consumers pay for), and as indicated by many here they no longer truly represent their membership or do so t a fault, which would exclude any notion of offering non-traditional solutions (i.e. furloughs) to a very real fiscal problem. They hide behind their contracts, but contracts are binding by law and the will of both parties to uphold them. If conditions change, and the willingness of both parties to concede certain parts to obtain a larger benefit, contracts can always be renegotiated. Detroit auto workers did it - why not here. The inflexibility of union bosses here will only work against them as their stalwart defense of their position will show how little they care about the broader notion of keeping more people employed and sensitivity to the fiscal crisis many municipalities and companies will face over the next year or so. If you want them to care, you have to join the union and pay for them to care about you. This is simply a fiscal hostage situation pitting union against the City of Manchester. Any guess as to who will win? I can tell you who will lose if they don't negotiate - the entire city....
- Dave K., Fitzwilliam

Very interesting! An unpaid seven day furlough for all or 90+ city workers laid off for upwards of 6 months. Would you want to gamble that you might be one of the 90+ laid off? I applaud the mayor for trying to keep all services running and to protect the employer (the taxpayers). With all the flack he is taking on this from the unions, he should just give what we can afford to the unions and let them decide which members get to stay or be laid off. If the lowest members are the ones let go, then it would leave only the chiefs who don't know how to do the work anyways and would therefore determin which services would have to be eliminated. Great job unions!
- Vince, Hooksett

Give the hackerama a taste of the dreaded private sector!
- Tom, Manchester

Time off for Police and Fire, Makes sense not. Many are complaining how the taxes of many are effected. Well has anyone brought up the fact that many of the police and fire are also tax payers in the city. So we give them unpaid time off and still tax them, WOW that does not seem right. What I see is wrong is when the road poatching crew has four people on the truck. How many people does it take to patch a pothole? Teacher are underpaid and we want more from them in the sense of unpaid days off. what is wrong with us people when we are trying to hurt those that serve us and give us the quality of life we all want. It seems to me we are soon becoming a socialist city. What if we pool all of our monies and divide it equally amonst all. Lets give everyone the same way of life. Lets penalize those of us who have been successful and strive to live a higher life standard. Mayor you need to be the first to give up your salary and do your job for free. Let the working class, keep the paychecks they earn and let us the people of the city of Manchester, reach a little bit deeper and pay foe the services we need to make this once again a great city.
- Robert, Manchester

again you think the unions are at fault for the budget crisis. lets take a look at wastefull spending that the tax payers dont see but the union member do.
oh ya richard. f i watched the hoffa movie to good movie

al.c derry
- al Costigan, derry nh

If it were a choice between losing my job and benefits or having to take seven days off in the course of a year, I would have to go with the days off - even if they were consecutive. If the budget can not sustain the level of salaries that it is presently paying then it can't and it will mean job loss. This is a choice of one hardship over another and seven days lost wage is far less of a hardship than a total loss of wage and health benefits - especially with the unemployment level and competition what jobs do presently exist. It's a sad state of affairs but it is reality and you have to make the best choices that you can within your reality.
- Sandra W, Bradford

It all starts at the top and the Mayor has not even tried to get control of the unions so that when something like this happens there would be no issue. Guinta gas ignored the union from the time he got elected. If he was a smart politician he would of got them on his side like any other mayor would have . That makes this situation his fault. The other problem is that the tax base is too dependant on home owners. Business development has been ignored for years and it too hard to deal with the City if you are a business owner [zoning, planning, building deptments]. If Bobb Tarr wants to get elected he needs some new ideas.
- Armand, Manchester

Wow, one week off without pay to save 90 jobs. One of those jobs could be your own. While I agree that unions in certain situations are good, this is a different time and age folks, I think I'm seeing more harm than help (Auto Industry). Would you rather have 1 week less pay or what could turn out to be years? Skimp on a few things over the year so you don't feel it in the check book.
Don't go to D&D all year, make your coffee at home, theres your weeks worth of pay right there. $20 a week on Coffee / Doughnut, $80 a month equals about $960 a year...theres your week of pay. I've resorted to eating Rammen noodle for lunch to save money $24 from BJ's for a case gets me lunch for a month.
- Adam, Manchester

What a joke! They should lay off as many of these idiot as they need to balance the budget. This is so typical of the unions and their "me first" attitudes. Exactly what we need in this country is more unions, NOT!
- Jesse, Orford

I can see Union Head Roche doesn't care about the tax paying citizens of Manchester. Heck he doesn't live in Manchester. What's he got to loose?
The idea of a furlough is great!
- Doris Pond, Manchester

I applaud the Mayor for his creative thinking but I am still confused by his math. 3300 employees taking a week off save 3.6 million. 3.6 million divided by 3300 equals 1091.00 average in salaries per employee. 90 jobs saved, 1090.00 times 52 weeks equals 56,680 per saved employee 90. So 90 times 56,680 equals 5,101,200.00. So where does the other 1,500,200 come from to keep the 90 people employed? Now I see why Manchester is so screwed up, the people charged creating the budget can't even do simple math.
- Jack S, Manchester

The outright arrogant union bosses challenging public elected officials trying to balance our budget is obscene. I'm glad they don't represent me. If this is the type of representation the city workers want, start sending out the layoff notices. The idea of not meeting with the highest ranking elected official in the city to discuss and try to work out a compromise and meet with the left leaning, budget busting, Alderman, is both demeaning to the tax payer and disrespectful of the voter. Mr. Mayor, keep trying to do the thing for the taxpayers of our city. I applaud you.
- Ed, Manchester

Anyone ever notice its always whiny fireman first to the podium to complain about everything? They have to much time. Oh yea, a furlough would be tough for them, less time to sit around (on work time) and figure out how the public is "screwing them over". I say lay some of them off.
- Tom, Lebanon

send out the pink slips then!
- Jennifer, Manchester NH

Those who are contractors for the city of Manchester must be celebrating right now. They're getting paid more than the employees. But, hey, at least the taxpayers don't mind paying more.
- judy, Concord

The unions should understand what is at stake here, Take some time off or you might be laid off. Which is better? Knowing you might have some days off without pay to knowing that you might be in the unemployment line for months with very little unemployment benefits to support your family and yourself? This reader is sure that employess don't have to take all seven days off in a row. Is it possible that it could be one day here, one day there until all seven days are met? City services will still go forward without delays or be off set. So the bottom line comes down to this; 300+ union employees taking seven days off without pay vs 90,000+ taxpayers taking a tax increase that is already too much to add to their budget in such economic times. Aldermen, you decide who you represent? Then lets see how voting goes in November 09'

Robert M Tarr
Candidate for Alderman - Ward 5 09'
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester

Too bad unions continue to make stinks over even the slightest cuts to their benefits. If you're self-employed, you deal with the realization that a vacation for you is an unpaid furlough.

Too bad unions only look out for themselves without understanding how good they really have it (i.e. health/dental/401Ks/disability/etc) compared with the many non-union people they live and work with.
- Bill, Milford

So this is what the mayor gets for trying to do something rather than laying off city workers- a knife in the back from those who's jobs he is trying to save? Wow.....I really don't kno what to say to people like this. I just hope that city employees who actually care about saving their jobs as well as those of their fellow coworkers begin to speak out and make their voices known outside of the talking head union heads.

I do work in the private sector, but if I were able to save a friends job, let alone my own, but taking a week without pay, I absolutely would do it in a second. I have a lot of respect for city employees, but if I don't start to hear a large outcry from them against what their union heads are doing, I truly won't feel bad when they get their jobs cut at the end of this budget cycle because they didn't take a stand for what is right when they had the chance to do so.
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas

LOL....its so nice to see that these Unions really don't care at all about the taxpayer in this city. Furthermore, I really don't think they care about their union members because on lunch today, I actually talked to some highway workers who were in full support of furloughs in order to protect theirs and their co-worker's jobs from the chopping block and they are actually pretty upset at the direction their union heads are taking on this matter.

Its beginning to look more and more like the unions heads in this city not only don't care about the taxpayer, but they actually don't even care about their union members. All they care about is politics and their loyalty to the Democrat Party.
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester

It sad that city employees feel that they and their unions are superior to the common working folk who's taxes pay their salary. This is a common practice in business to save money. It is time city workers got nothing better than the rest of us. God forbid there are only 2 guys picking up trash instead of 3 for a couple weeks.
- Chris, Manchester

The Unions are going to sue over forced furloughs what a bunch of cry babies we all have to make sacrifices but they seem to think they are exempt. My father was a member of a Labor Union a registered Democrat all his life and he spent more time on the picket lines and the Union halls waiting for available work than earning a living. In all the years he paid Union membership he got very little support. If you want examples of Union Corruption one need only look at the Teamsters, the AFL/CIO, the UAW and here in NH the Firefighters Union. I am proud to say that I have never belonged to a union. Just a look at the most poweful unions in this country and they reek with corruption even today, while the average member is collecting unemployment, the big wigs are boozing and schmoozing at play conventions at expensive hotels in Florida and Las Vegas. If we are going to survive this economic crisis we are in we will all have to make sacrifices and that includes the Unions.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester