Public Workers Have Until May 17 to Make Concessions to Avert Layoffs

Paramus Public Workers have until May 17 to come up with concessions to , after the Mayor and Council spoke with union leaders at a work session Monday.

"We will definitely give the unions this opportunity to give back," said Councilman Alan Brundage, who chairs the budget committee. "But there are certain parameters that we were held to as a Council that we're going to hold everyone to as well."

Brundage said whatever cuts the unions came up with had to be permanent and not lead to any reduction in services. Those parameters rule out one-time savings like furlough days.

Patrick Guaschino, vice president of Teamsters Local 97, which represents eight of the affected workers, was confident that he could find a solution to save $140,000, the sum of the salaries of the eight workers. He had one in mind after the meeting.

Guaschino said the Teamsters could offer their prescription, dental and vision coverage to Borough employees, which he said would be a savings for the municipality.

"The cost savings is that it's a composite rate that we ask for, so it's the same rate for single, family, parent, child, husband, wife," he said. "It doesn't sound like it's a savings but in the long run it is absolutely a huge savings."

The Public Employees Association represents some of the other affected employees, and needs to find $124,000 in savings in three departments.

"It's a bit overwhelming," said Janis Kohl, a representative for the union. "But we'll see what we can do to come up with this."

The layoffs and demotions represent the last round of cuts being considered by the Council, which hopes to adopt a budget with no increase over last year to put the Borough in a better position for 2012, when a $6 million pension deferment . The savings required from each department break down as follows over a full year:

• Buildings and Grounds: $150,000
• Roads: $45,500
• Sanitation: $48,000
• Sewer: $61,000
• Shade Tree: $112,500
• Fire Prevention: $52,000
• Municipal Court: $45,000

Brundage said he would be available to either of the union leaders for any information they need to come up with cuts.

"Anything you need," he said. "I will personally make myself available. You have my cell phone number. Call me."

Kohl said the PEA would work with department heads, the council and the budget committee to find a solution.

"We really do take pride in our jobs and our work and the Borough," she said. "Most of us are residents here we love Paramus. And we will do whatever we can to keep Paramus as great as it is."

The Mayor and Council hold a public meeting Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. On the agenda is an amendment to the 2011 budget.