Your recent article that personnel costs will be down this year because of unfilled positions is a little off. While there may be a couple of unfilled positions in SHFRD, those positions on any given shift have to be filled using overtime which is actually more expensive salary wise, but more cost effective benefit wise. The bottom line is even with the personnel reductions, the manpower requirements of the recently passed extension to the CBA REQUIRES 24 men per shift, even if there are only 22 people scheduled. The other two slots MUST be filled under the terms of the CBA by overtime which negates any savings. You also fail to mention “kickers” in the recently passed CBA that take effect 10/01/2011. Like renewed longevity payments, a new Driver Engineer position, and the 3 Holidays returned to the Union. So, while personnel costs may decrease slightly in FY2011, in FY2012 they will rise again as taxable value falls. Creating again a financial problem.
