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.
And, the other half do not exist.
City Hall has never been more efficient than it is at this moment!
And the keys to the school buses.
Jeez the company I work for had 5 stores destroyed in that area and they're paying displaced employees until the end of October.
One thing, they're a private entity not taxpayer supported so I could go both ways on this.
LMAO!
Some private companies are keeping people paid. The ones in deep trouble are the small businesses, the people in the service industries, mom and pop stores. Their clients, customers, buildings, etc are gone.
And people are so disdainful of the "poor". Alot of those poor are the people who keep that city going,,low level menial jobs, mopping floors, cleaning, sweeping, counter work. The city cannot run without them. And their housing is decimated.
And here I thought it was just me. I scored a ton of Bob Dylan CDs last week. They filled most of the wasted radio air time.
Let's hope the new country of Iraq gets more coverage than Harriet Miers.
Back to the REAL subject - Nagin. My only question - if PAST residents don't want to move back into a place they already know about - why would CASINOES invest in property lower than the weak Category 3 levees?
Nagin, along with the levees, are in over their heads...
I guess it amuses you that people who worked for a city that is no longer functioning lose their jobs.
I don't get it,,why does it amuse you that a working person loses a job?
I was laughing about the fact that, according to the story, HALF of the city's workforce was "non-essential".
yep, I keep wondering, when is someone going to say "the levees need rebuilding" and when will people realize what that is going to cost.
I guess the city has been standing so long, this has happened once. Maybe it is a gamble this kind of storm won't hit again. And it probably won't. But dang,,it seems like a big gamble to me.
Interesting thing the locals are telling me. They went back once for a couple hours and said things could be fixed. Then they went back a second time and came away devastated, said it couldn't be fixed. I think the mold growing all overe, the rot, the utter loss hit them the second visit.
Baton Rouge,,it is horrible where you are I hear. We all mutter to each other,,"when are they leaving". Problem is most of the ones here will take a long time if ever to leave. Their houses need to be gutted, etc. That will take no telling how long.
they are now nonessential,,nobody is home, the schools are closed, the city is not functioning.
I know you don't want to hear this now, but you need to remember, and remind others, that it's just "stuff". You have the important part in your minds and in the loved ones around you. Your lives have changed dramatically, but it will be good again......soon.
The one thing I saw when I was down there years ago is that the people are STRONG, and they pull together.
I feel for the sadness but maybe when you have to climb a hill, then climb a 10 ft. wall to watch the barges go by in the canal, that ought to be a clue that your entire world is in jeopardy if you decide to stay where you are. If you're going to live below sea level grow some gills! Get a boat! Please don't send me the bill to rebuild your submersible house!
Buses not running? (Sorry, impulsive FReep...)
Is President Bush going to provide bus transportation to their banks so they can cash their last paychecks?
I think when people make fun of other's bad luck, they're just letting of tension that comes from being afraid it could happen to them as well.
So pay them no mind, and remember the Good Lord has a sense of humor too!!!!!
"This is something Nagin grieves."
"He's upset they all must leave."
"Federal money he will retrieve."
"But alas, there's no reprieve."
And when they realize how much better/safer the public schools are, they won't want to ever go back! At least not while they have kids in school. But can you blame them?
I am studying for a degree in education, and this involves spending time in the public schools. I spent a few hours this last week observing in the Mandeville schools - and you can tell who the New Orleans refugee kids are. They are the ones who walk alone, but they have the widest eyes you've ever seen. They just can't believe how beautiful their new school is!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.