Posted on 10/14/2005 5:47:47 PM PDT by Libloather
Fired New Orleans city workers get final paychecks
20 minutes ago
Final paychecks were issued to thousands of New Orleans city workers laid off in the wake of ruinous hurricanes, according to city officials. A message posted on the city website provided further details of the layoffs from Mayor Ray Nagin, seen here 6 October(AFP/Getty Images/File)
NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) - Final paychecks were issued to thousands of New Orleans city workers laid off in the wake of ruinous hurricanes, according to city officials.
"In addition, all employees who are part of the layoff are asked to turn in any city property immediately, including cell phones, cars and fuel cards," Mayor Ray Nagin said in a message posted Thursday on the city website.
Aftershocks from hurricanes Katrina and Rita continued to batter New Orleans despite signs the crippled city was limping back to life.
"There is no last minute reprieve," Nagin spokeswoman Tammy Frazier told AFP. "This is the last paycheck they will receive."
While bars, restaurants and other businesses were gradually being reopened in the mostly desolate city, most of the residents were still gone and the once-bustling streets were deserted.
Bar operators in the city's famed French Quarter were threatening on Friday to host a midnight party to protest a 12:01 am to 6:00 am curfew they complained is stifling the traditionally festive neighborhood's revival.
The absence of businesses and residents stripped the city of its tax base, prompting Nagin to lay off some 3,000 "non-essential" city workers, about half of the New Orleans workforce.
Nagin tried in vain to get multi-million dollar loans from banks to keep the city workers on payroll, according to Frazier.
"As we look toward a brighter future for our beloved city, we are faced with difficult decisions," Nagin said in a written release.
"We sought funding from every possible public and private source, but unfortunately, we did not receive enough to meet all our needs."
Police, fire and emergency medical personnel remain on the payrolls, with US federal funds paying the bill for overtime.
Nagin expected the cutbacks will save the city between five million and eight million dollars a month.
The layoffs came as stores, restaurants, cleaning and construction companies throughout the New Orleans area went begging for workers.
Local stores were offering to pay from nine to 12 dollars hourly for the usually minimum-wage jobs such as cashiers and stock clerks. One burger chain reportedly offered "signing bonuses" of 6,000 dollars for counter workers.
Laid off city workers whose homes were ruined have no reason to return to New Orleans, said Jacqueline Edwards, who worked in the New Orleans planning department for 23 years.
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco has urged President George W. Bush to modify federal rules to allow federal aid to pay the wages of local government employees in communities whose tax bases have been wiped out by the storms.
She has also asked Bush to give Louisiana businesses priority in hiring and contracting for the reconstruction effort.
Bush has responded by saying the burden of rebuilding should fall to the private sector.
At least 1,260 people were killed by Katrina when it ripped through the southern United States on August 29, including 1,025 in Louisiana, the hardest-hit state.
Hmmmm, I wonder what percentage were real people on the payroll?
Thank you so much for that notice. I can't stand reading anymore of the Meirs threads.
Will Nagin or his bodyguards take at least a 'pay cut'?
If GW Bush gives one cent to Mayor Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco, he will lose my support forever. The people of Louisiana that put Nagin and Blanco in office should be taxed to provide necessary funds to run the city of NO and the state of Louisiana. They were stupid enough to elect these morons, so let them pay for their mistakes. The people of Louisiana had a chance to fire these fools and they have done nothing but stand by like idiots as Louisiana descends into the dark ages!!! I say let them flounder, and see if the Democrat Party saves them!!!
I am with you. Am tired of the Miers threads.
Did you know that then private citizen Nagin contributed to GWB's 2000 campaign? He was a Republican then but changed parties to run for mayor in the once popular liberal mecca.
LOL. Really appreciated the parenthetical
At least New Orleans Poet Loriate still has his job.
How many times did Nagin and the former Police Chief have to go through the line to collect all the paychecks for their workers that don't exist?
Thank you--that was my first thought.
My second thought was "Why does Mayor Nagin still have a job?"
"No noggin" Nagin should haev been the first one fired.
Those evil Republicans! How can they just throw workers out of a job like that? Those workers have rights! They are entitled to their paychecks! They have no right to just kick them out with nothing. How are they supposed to live? They have a right to a certain standard of living!
What's that? Nagin and Blanco are Democrats? How can this be? What happened to Socialism? Does no one care for the working man and woman anymore?
The main reason I clicked on this thread..
Parenthetical tagline.
My thoughts exactly...one last chance to divert funds from the payroll to nonexistent workers....to someone's pocket(s). Tough choices, indeed.
It is sad but when they mean non-essential most were probably truly non-essential. I noticed the one truly non-essential piece of crap, the mayor, has yet to resign.
Gee. Now when you drive up on a city construction crew working, you'll see one working and only one watching?
MM
Hahahahahhahahahahaha Yep that is the message they are sending.
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