Braffman:
Hear The Other Side

This doesn't pass the smell test. At every public hearing I've seen about the budget, union employees have complained about limited staff, unfilled vacancies, and layoffs. I'd like to see Braffman's evidence that these are truly new positions, not new individuals hired to fill important existing positions like teacher and police retirements.
Also, Braffman's comment sounds like more evidence that the unions don't care about their younger and newer workers or the taxpayers. Would she rather people not be hired to perform important services for residents like police protection and education, just so she can avoid changes to her medical plan?
All the taxpayers are asking is that the mayor and the unions consider what we can afford and the services we really need.

I'm pretty sure that all said in the article above doesn't even include the hiring of postions at the BOE re the 8 or 9M. It's about time that other people in 3144 take a stand. Elaine Braffman lives in New Haven, so it's even more significant. Each and every one of the union members, no matter what union they are in should be furious at what is going on. I give credit to Elaine and to Charyilyn, the President of 3144 who are standing up for members, and for what is right. That president has no fear and she's always right there, up front fighting for the rights of employees. Taxpayers are aware that pension and medical benefit costs are high, and the unions want to discuss how to best address the issues with the Mayor. The Administration claims to want to privatize to save taxpayers money. What taxpayers do not know is that the Administration is not transparent in hiring of relatives, hiring of friends of the higher ups, etc. ...

Taxpayers should wake up and look into the goings on within the city. The Mayor doesn't care about taxpayers, and he's trying to turn taxpayers against the unions, which is just manipulation. He cares about maintaining his reign. If they would be more interested, and if all union members would stand up and not be afraid, the Administration would not be able to get away with lying and appearing as though they really care for taxpayers. Employees will continue to fear for their jobs if they do not stand up for themselves. I'm glad that Elaine finally broke loose from her fears of the Mayor. Now, she's really got some integrity in my book.

Elaine Braffman is an LCI Neighborhood Specialist... if she is in the Management union, isn't she working under her class? How did that come about? After all these years and years, the Union VP NOW realizes that Big John has become a very smooth and polished politician? ...

If we do not look at anything else, let's pay attention to the suggestions from the Local 3144. In particularly, a job freeze. The mayor doesn't see himself as being significant if he can't hire as many people as he likes, while paying them handsomely for positions that have no bearing on taxpayers. So the idea of him agreeing to a job freeze for positions other than police and fire are preposterous.

Under this mayor, local government continues to grow, grow and grow. Which means, taxpayers have to continue to pay, pay and pay.
It's apparent that the mayor had to look closely at the size of the membership of this Union before he took this public position. Realizing that this union is much smaller in numbers than the Union that represents the Yale Service Employees, the mayor felt that the opportunity to do some political posturing would be apropos.
Vice President E. Braffman and President
C.Poindexter are two individuals who have fought for the taxpayers of New Haven for years. These woman believe heavily in efficiency, accountability and looking out for the best financial interest of taxpayers citywide.

BRAVO ELANINE!! Exceptionally written. I truly hope that the public will see the true position of not only the employees, but the real face of mayor destefano. Thank you for speaking so eloquently on our behalf.

A fellow employee, resident and tax payer.

Here's an idea Ms. Braffman, the Mayor likely has to hire more people to do the work of the dead-wood that sit on the city's payroll.

Short of committing an act of violence against a supervisor or members of the public, there's little managers can do to discipline or get rid of these employees. Yet the union continues to support them; in the meantime, the mayor must continue to deliver services. There is a small percentage of workers in city hall on which taxpayers can rely to get anything done.

You should know this Ms. Braffman, you are one of the small few who earn your paycheck on a daily basis. That the Mayor needs to cut spending in other areas does not negate the need to look at the unions.

I believe in accountability and transparency but I also believe in not spending money you do not have. We need to make cuts and trade off for this city to run. As a property tax payer my taxes have not doubled in the past few years they have tripled I am paying my fair share for this city to run to ask for more from us is not a doable thing, we have been taking the hit we have nothing left.

But hiring anyone at this point in the game is shameful...NO EXCUSES why??...do some rearranging to fill those spots not new hires! The numbers that Elaine stated are mind blowing after this past years budget battle.

Saddly some loses will happen in every part of the city with jobs and benefits... this is a national thing. I took some heavy hit myself on top of my taxes and health care increases. But with that said..I am always in amazement at who gets hit the hardest. Maybe it is just me. It would seem to me that we need the workers (the ones that are actually doing the work) not the numerous higher ups that do reports and data ect.. how many bosses and executive do we really need…really! In general they have no real effect on how the city is working. I watch parks get slash to the bear bone, I watched Public works get slashed to the bear bone...all low salary workers and all very important to the health and livability of this city. The city can not touch them anymore nothing left to cut. BUT NO higher paid administration job seemed to be effected both in city hall and the BOE?? In fact I believe that has grown? Am I wrong?

As a citizen I can not afford another increase...but we also have to remember...that funds from Hartford this year are going to be alot less than last year...so we are in a bigger hole than we were last year...so the crap is going to hit the fan and city workers in all departments will be feeling the economy the way the Private industry has, sadly not even the union can stop that. But the changes in the staffing and employment HAS to be the intelligent ones...and yes mayor all those friends and people that have those great and useless jobs have to be the first to go. We need the blue collar and lower paid people that in a sense really keep our city floating.

This is going to be a hard year on all sides of this….. NEXT how ever is going to be a disaster. And I truly belive the cuts start from the top down…or this city will fall apart

ps

Johnny... you need to lead by example. You can not ask of your peasants what you are not willing to do. Start form the top.

Elaine,

I'd still really like to see a report that shows these positions are new positions, not just new individuals filling vacant positions. Do all the parks seasonals count as "new positions" every time they're hired for the summer? Or are they new individuals in already budgeted vacant slots? It just doesn't seem plausible that the city added over $8.3 million in "new positions" in 2010. Until I see the proof showing otherwise, it sounds to me like Elaine is the one telling the half truths here.

Wow! Whether you agree with Miss Braffman or not you just have to give her credit for what she has just done. Even the top administrators, high paid second in command secretly would have to respect this courageous woman. I would think she is preparing herself and bracing for the mayor's wrath! I am hoping that every employee that runs into this woman in city hall, every tax payer that sees her at a meeting, every person on the street that recognizes her will applaud as she passes. I hope someday I have the opportunity to shake her hand and thank her directly. Meanwhile, Thank you Miss Braffman.

New Haven Taxpayer

hmmm your right about the seasonals, not sure if they should count if they do but...still...there should be no new staff added at all right now..even if it is a vacant position. They should rearrange so that present staffers go in those positions. He he really cares about the workers..and leave less needed positions vacant or eliminate them all together. Especilly if they are laying people off

To:New Haven Taxpayer
Are you kidding me!?! Whether we are talking about new positions being filled or newly filled positions there should be no hiring or such bare minimum that it would go unnoticed! However this was worded, I have known this woman for years, she was once my alderwoman and she is one of the most honest and credible and hard working person I have ever met. How ever she worded this, she would never intentionally try to deceive anyone.
How could you possibly think that over 300 positions were absolutely necessary.
Your comments seem to be coming from downtown, not from the stand point of a taxpayer. Who are you trying to kid here? I am sorry buddy, but you are missing the whole point and I take my hat off to Elaine. I don't think anyone really would want to walk in her shoes right now and especially into 165 Church Street surrounded by high paid flunkies for this mayor. Elaine, keep your head held high, very few if any would consider doing what you just did!

Does not make sense. You don't leave the inmates in charge of the prison. Freeze. What is a freeze going to do. It let's everybody keep their job. How about this. More co pays for medical that are in line with the private sector ( you know the place where the money to pay you comes from) Less time off for tooth aches and tonsils. And maybe a job attrition program for all city workers with, now get this part its important, 'incentive pay' for those who excel. Excel the first cousin to excellent. Reward for a job well done. Instead of protesting on City time via your personal days off and all the perkies you get being a member of the 'protected' class.

YOU GO MS. ELAINE. TELL EM LIKE IT IS. THE MAYOR SPENT ALL THE MONEY ON NEW POSITIONS BUT KNOW HE HAS GOT TO PAY US OUR DUE. INSTEAD OF SAVING MONEY BY FREEZING SPENDING HE DIDNT JUST MAKE 296 NEW POSITIONS THEY HID IT IN THE BUDGET AND CREATED OVER 400 NEW POSITIONS LIKE CHRISTINE TANG AND ERIK JOHNSON.

IT IS TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO WISE UP AND REALIZE WHO IT IS THAT MAKES THE CITY GO CUZ ITS US. SINCE THEY WENT OUT AND SPENT ALL THE MONEY ON CREATING THESE 400+ NEW POSITIONS THEY NEED TO GO OUT AND RAISE THE TAXES BECAUSE WE NEED PAID FOR ALL THE WORK WE DO.

SHOW ME THE MONEY MR. MAYOR ITS TIME TO PAY UP!

Elaine, it has been such a long time since I moved out of New Haven and you had served as my alderperson. I see you are still a strong person and believe deeply to stand up and speak out when it is necessary.
New Haven is a wonderful city, but because of unfortunate circumstances I had to leave. If I ever come back and you are still around I hope I move into the area that I have heard from my New Haven friends you are working at to keep the neighborhoods a good place to live. Good luck Elaine!

Every week, there is a published report detailing the people who are hired by the city. They are considered new hires regardless of whether they are new positions or old ones. As for the hiring freeze - it's a freeze in name only and it's fraudulent to say the city has one. It is not practiced and has not been practiced since the day it was announced. The same is true for the double dippers. A lot of them are still hanging out too I'm told. In any case, the numbers are accurate in terms of the costs - and as a taxpayer, it irks me. There is no way all these positions are absolutely required.

To expand on my first post..Elaine is dead on..These are not generally "seasonal" positions..These are newly created position such as that new environmental sustainability dept., and the newly created "innovative budgeting" department... Tell you what, ask the people that work this City day in and day out. We will galdly tell you where we can save on "green" waste at much less than an $70-$80 thou salary. And that ridiculous "innovative" budgeting...we'd gladly advise that you should stop wasting $ on such things like IT programs that DON'T work. Vehicles for people that do not leave the office (which btw, the vast majority of us that leave 165 Church drive our own cars, on our gas and our own repair bills)..And I will only touch on lawyers that have been hired to push City ordinances at rates of $60-$80 thousand a year and yet we are still unable to collect ONE fine based on Anti-blight, Nuisance or Zoning violations...Just the tip of the iceberg folks..Dig deeper. Much deeper than all of the unions combined at cost. And please do not forget, we are the people that make it happen every day. Creatively, calling favors, ding it ourselves, or just out right begging....

Bravo for Braffman. She is a very gutsy woman who is not afraid to tell it like it is.
The Mayor wants to talk about the private sector example. Well right now, no one is getting a raise... but the Mayor gave a hefty one to his staff. Right now, the private sector is not hiring at all, but the Mayor hired 374 new positions so far this year alone! And to give him cover, he's trying to break up a union in which he approved classification of every single member, and he's going after basic benefits of the lowest paid public servants in the city. It's sad to see this Mayor, who has accomplished so much, falling so low.

Elaine Braffman has worked tirelessly for public benefit in her job at Livable Cities, and when she was an Alderperson from our district. She works effectively on many issues that benefit the neighborhoods, and has always been great on follow-thru and being straightforward. Thus, we trust her judgements in this report.

I wonder how quickly the union folks would call "foul" if Mayor DeStefano talked smack about any of them like this.

Also, it's my understanding the an arbitrator is determining if people are classified in the correct union, that the mayor only asked for clarification. It seems pretty simple to me, if its a management union, then everyone who is not a manager should go in the non-managers union.

And you talk about what you gave back, well, I never had a say on not getting a raise - if the company wasn't making enough money, I didn't get a raise (period). and while a hiring freeze is nice to say, if a position opens up that needs to be filled, someone has got to fill it. I'm not going to give up services that I pay taxes for because of disgruntled employees. Sorry, not gonna happen.

It has come to my attention that there were a number of inaccuracies regarding city hiring reported in an opinion piece by Local 3144 Vice President Elaine Braffman. I wanted to provide you with accurate data regarding hiring this fiscal year.

Contrary to Ms. Braffman's assertions, the budget for fiscal year 2010-11 includes no new general fund positions, and no new general fund positions have been created. A small number of existing positions were reclassified or re-titled as part of the budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. In some cases, those positions were not filled until this fiscal year. Those positions include a new Director of Public Safety Communications that was created by eliminating two police sergeant positions, and a reclassification of three 911 operators. Those reclassifications were approved by the union and by the Board of Aldermen. These positions also include four fulltime positions in the Assessor's Office. Those duties were previously performed by contract employees, yielding no significant net increase to the budget. These changes were approved by the Board of Aldermen during the previous budget process.

The city has filled a number of existing vacant positions this year in order to continue to provide needed services to city residents. These positions include firefighters, police officers and refuse laborers, as well as our new City Librarian and Health Department Director. In all cases, these employees have been hired to perform existing and important services to taxpayers. In total, there have been 45 general fund city hires and 237 Board of Education fulltime hires (215 of which were teachers hired to fill vacancies). Again, no new positions; these are simply existing positions that have been filled. In addition, there have been 10 special fund (non-taxpayer funded) city hires and 33 Board of Education special fund hires. To those not familiar, special fund positions are not paid for with local taxpayer dollars. These special fund positions are supported by grants or other outside dollars, often specifically geared toward the purpose of the position. These special funds cannot be shifted to cover any other needs of the general fund budget.

I believe Ms. Braffman's report also includes some number of part-time and seasonal workers, although I have not been privy to the sources of her data. Part-time hires in this fiscal year include seasonal parks workers, Youth@Work students, substitute teachers and election officials, as well as seven new aldermen who joined the board in January 2010.

While the city has hired some number of individuals to fill vacant positions, there are far more positions that have not been filled this year. As of today, there are 140 vacant positions in the city, both sworn and non-sworn. Savings from those unfilled vacancies has already been anticipated in this year's budget as a cost saving measure.

As always, a monthly report on new hires is provided to the Board of Aldermen and to the public via the Monthly Financial Report.

Thank you,

Elizabeth Benton
Legislative Assistant/Policy Analyst
City of New Haven

Jayj,
Living in New Haven I observed over the mayor's tenure in the last five years at the very least he has just become unbearable. He clearly thinks he is bigger thn life. I am not sure what talking smack you are pointing to?? I thought the letter was very well written and well thought out. Do you have a problem with a woman taking a stand against this bigger than life mayor?
If your company tells you there is no money and you don't get a raise I think that is your problem. ... Nothing wrong with fact finding Jayj. It seems to me most unions do recognize they may very well not get a raise, but are concerned about maintaining a decent medical package and a pension that most have paid into for years. I don't think that is so unreasonable. I think if they have to dive in and pay more for the medical benefit that should be done.
Being a tax payer I think a hiring freeze is more than nice, it should happen. I never walked away from this article feeling anyone was saying essentials should not be filled, but come on now, over 300 positions? You are either not a tax payer here, don't live in this city or work for this administration and are doing what they have told you to do, write this. I sat back, reread this article several times and each time came to the same conclusion, this woman just wants the mayor to stop the spending, be a little more humane, have a conscience and is really fed up with the whole show and circus going on in this city. Easy for you to criticize isn't it? Maybe some day you will find yourself in a position that you will have to take a stand on something. Well if it does happen I hope someone like this lady will be there for you. I don't think this was an easy thing for her to do. And if an arbitrator has to make a decision, that is ok with me. But when I called my alderman he told me it was his understanding that this union is not just management, but is called professional and management. Well Jayj I suppose we could go back and forth on all sorts of points including who is a professional. Have a good day Jayj.

Elizabeth Benton I thought your name rang a bell. That's right you used to work for the New Haven Register and on May 14, 2010 you became an employee of the City of New Haven. You were hired as a Legislative Assistant/Policy Analyst to the Mayor for $53,000 per year(General Fund). This position is not a revenue generated position.

Neither are the following positions: Deputy Chief of Staff 2/12/10 $66,000 per year, Legislative Assistant to the Mayor 2/12/10 $68,500, Legislative Assistant/Policy Analyst to the Mayor 2/12/10 $53,000, Media Program Associate hired on 3/26/10 $35,000, Assistant Corporation Counsel $65,995 hired 7/23/10, Director of Sustainability $77,102 hired 2/12/10,a more than $15,000 raise for William Clark's sister (Senior Personnel Analyst 7/16/10)recently hired in 2008
and by the way the four Lead Dispatcher position are new ($58,572 each per year). 911 ran for years with Supervisors. The Supervisors now answer to the Lead Dispatchers. None of the position Elaine mention above are Teachers or Board of Education hirees.
These position are on the City side.

I see the Mayor allows you the time to post half truths during your work day (posted comment 10/8 @ 4:04 pm). I think the $53,000 a year you're earning from the tax payers pocket your time should be spent doing your job not a political smear campaign against a woman who stood up to the Mayor.

Elaine information is correct I see this information every week on the Personnel Action Report. Taxpayers go check it out. This is Public Information.

I can refute anything you printed but won't waste my time.

From the New Haven Register? No longer a "journalist", eh? Now you're the "Legislative Assistant" slash "Policy Analyst". Great. A clear demonstration of: 1. Bloated government (I'll bet my 401k that your position is entirely unnecessary and therefore whatever you're being paid is too much)and 2. Your political viewpoint. You do remember what you were taught regarding journalists "reporting" the news in a balanced manner, right? By taking this job all you did was affirm what everybody suspected about you all along. If this isn't the same EB, sorry. If this is, you should resign immediately so your salary can be used to help with the budget needed to pay the salaries of these ACTUALLY essential workers.

When vacant positions open up, there is a choice to fill or not fill. A lot of folks already work for the city, and there is always the possibility of reorganizing or shifting a present employee into that spot. However, you want to spin it, when you fill a vacant position, you are making a new hire. Period.

And why has the Mayor started referring to 3144 as the Supervisors Union? It is the Management and Professional Union. That's what it is and has always been. Through several rounds of 3144 layoffs, he said he would be laying off "mid-level management workers" in the Management/Professional union. He approved placement of every 3144 member in that union and never questioned once during his 16 years as Mayor. Now he's unilaterally calling it the Supervisors Union, and questioning each member's union status. Insulting and very demoralizing to all the professionals in 3144 who work tirelessly to serve the city that they love. Never mind that the union has supported the Mayor in every run he has made for mayor and governor. This is not "negotiating in good faith", as he calls it - it is the kind of predatory union busting that he previously lambasted Yale and Yale-New Haven Hospital for doing.

How disgraceful that the mayor allows his staff to do something like this. ... And I also think that it is a real stitch that everyone is running around like a chicken without a head over this wonderful woman Elaine Braffman. Guess they really are panicking huh?
I am going to say a prayer that lots of guardian angels watch over her. I actually feel badly that she has to walk in city hall all week and look at this group of over paid staff that flank the mayor everywhere he goes while she faces things alone. Actually I heard that the president of her union is really a wonderful person and they have it in for her also. So I hope these two women stand hand and hand together and not give up. Actually the tax payers like myself are just as fed up as them, they are not alone.

you need to understand the hiring process...

but first Management&Budget; is bang on straight accurate with that. The Agenda is public and is published internally every friday. That's not something they want actually "seen" by the public.

As far as filling a position, when a general fund position opens up according to New Haven Civil Service they MUST POST AND ADMINISTER a TEST.

If it is special funds, then a test is not required but can be administered.

Let's be clear, those with special fund jobs do not have a pension, therefore for not "touch" tax money. Only those who are in the GF have the City make a % contribution to the City Employee Retirement Fund. There is no 401K.

Let's be clear in these dark times ok?

Another point of clarity please. The best way to not have bad press is to have less people around to print it.

The real issue is not what and how many union positions there are (because they are already budgeted) it's OUTSIDE the union hires that should be looked at.

What M&B is correctly stating is what about all of these NEW hires for the Mayor OUTSIDE of unionship.

You also have to consider CONTRACTORS salaries which often are single people working full time within the City. A wave of the scepter and poof! people appear making GF money...Mayorg

The unions are a component of a larger structure. Stop union bashing please. A lot of New Haveners are in those unions. When people say 401K it makes it all the more important to clear misconceptions on how things work.

hope this helps and folks please

READ THE AGENDA AND GET AS MANY BACK LOGS AS YOU CAN.