Rob Ford spoils hundreds of city workers’ holidays with plans for massive layoffs
Mayor Rob Ford’s casual disdain for city workers is no secret—in September he referred to them collectively as “gravy”—and if city hall approves the proposed 2012 budget, he’ll be laying off nearly 1,200 in the New Year. The news comes amid a slew of stories regarding Ford’s cost-cutting mission, and like many of the mayor’s recent claims, his rhetoric on the issue doesn’t appear to match reality.
The National Post breaks down the numbers:
On Wednesday, the city released a breakdown of the layoffs, some of which have already occurred. They include 714 positions in various city departments, 666 of which are unionized. Another 152 public library jobs will be cut, and 324 TTC workers, which are a mix of union and non-union positions. The city is also deleting 1,148 positions that are either vacant or will be vacated due to a buyout package, the majority of which are also unionized. If approved, the civil service will shrink by a total of 2,336 positions. Deferring the hiring of 68 firefighters, 36 paramedics and 353 positions in the police service is among the cuts.
We already noted that Ford’s claims that the city is over-staffed are somewhat dubious, but there are other reasons layoffs seem hasty. Of course, we also remember Ford’s campaign mantra that there would be “no need for layoffs” in order to balance the city’s books. And these are obviously some serious layoffs. But what’s sure to add insult to injury for the municipal employees without a job in 2012 is that the city is committed to putting a $139-million surplus in a “rainy day” fund. Naturally, Ford will maintain that the public workforce is bloated and needs to be trimmed—but for those workers, that rainy day is now. Which is all to suggest the layoffs may be motivated more by Ford’s own ideology than the city’s finances.
• City laying off almost 1,200 workers [Toronto Star]
• City to issue up to 1,190 pink slips, most of them to unionized staff [Globe and Mail]
• Toronto planning to shed 600 unionized jobs; TTC, library, fire and police among cuts [National Post]
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/massive-layoffs-proposed-at-city-hall/&title=Rob Ford spoils hundreds of city workers’ holidays with plans for massive layoffs&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/fordie-ford-ford.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_106297" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="(Image: Christopher Drost)"][/caption]
Mayor Rob Ford’s casual disdain for city workers is no secret—in September he referred to them collectively as “gravy”—and if city hall approves the proposed 2012 budget, he’ll be laying off nearly 1,200 in the New Year. The news comes amid a slew of stories regarding Ford’s cost-cutting mission, and like many of the mayor’s recent claims, his rhetoric on the issue doesn’t appear to match reality.
The National Post breaks down the numbers:
On Wednesday, the city released a breakdown of the layoffs, some of which have already occurred. They include 714 positions in various city departments, 666 of which are unionized. Another 152 public library jobs will be cut, and 324 TTC workers, which are a mix of union and non-union positions. The city is also deleting 1,148 positions that are either vacant or will be vacated due to a buyout package, the majority of which are also unionized. If approved, the civil service will shrink by a total of 2,336 positions. Deferring the hiring of 68 firefighters, 36 paramedics and 353 positions in the police service is among the cuts.
We already noted that Ford’s claims that the city is over-staffed are somewhat dubious, but there are other reasons layoffs seem hasty. Of course, we also remember Ford’s campaign mantra that there would be “no need for layoffs” in order to balance the city’s books. And these are obviously some serious layoffs. But what’s sure to add insult to injury for the municipal employees without a job in 2012 is that the city is committed to putting a $139-million surplus in a “rainy day” fund. Naturally, Ford will maintain that the public workforce is bloated and needs to be trimmed—but for those workers, that rainy day is now. Which is all to suggest the layoffs may be motivated more by Ford’s own ideology than the city’s finances.
• City laying off almost 1,200 workers [Toronto Star]
• City to issue up to 1,190 pink slips, most of them to unionized staff [Globe and Mail]
• Toronto planning to shed 600 unionized jobs; TTC, library, fire and police among cuts [National Post]){kind=link}
Thank-you Mr.Ford, it is about time.
The population of Toronto went up 5% between 1996 and 2006. Does Rob Ford expect the census results to show a decrease of 10%?
*correction* ELECTORATE of Toronto spoils hundreds of city workers’ holidays with plans for massive layoffs
Ford sucks, but yes, fire everyone.
No one voted to lay people off.
It’s disgusting to see people cheering layoffs, particularly at Christmas time. How does unemployed people help the economy? You think they’re overpaid…maybe everyone else is underpaid. Will the Conservative mindset be at rest when everyone’s making minimum wage?
Sometimes Ford erratic behaviors are not something that mom is proud of, but taking care of the fiscal responsibility in the city is long overdue.
I will never cheer when someone lose their jobs, it is a very sad situation that has tremendous effect on the family that can leads to very negative impact in the short-term, in some cases can be a very long-term depending on the person. I have gone thru’ a few times but everytime I picked myself up again…that is part of reality.
The consquences can be even worse if we do not take care of the situation while we are still in a relatively fine shape. Look at Greece, Italy and other Euro countries that are in economic crisis, can you imagine from now these countries annual budget not only has to pass thru’ their own parliament but the final word of approval comes from the Euro members. The have no control of their destiny for a long time and their situations beagn a runaway spending.
I am proud Torontonian and I want to control my destiny and the same I want for my city. Our ex-mayor Miller has no balls to do it only kissing up to the socialists/unions and someone one has to do it before we end up like the Euro. It so happen to be Mayor Ford.
By the way, I am just an average income earner $40k/year and no public pensions.
I think the situation in the PIGS countries gives us an illustration of what will happen here if we don’t make tough decisions now. Stay the course Mr Ford.
Sounds to me like your ok with others losing their jobs as long it’s not YOUR job. Comparing Canada to Greece is rediculous. It’s well known that Ford is out to bust the unions and replace them with low wage no benefits mules and I am sure that is ok with you aswell but those people are real people with mortgages and kids to look after so their crime was applying for a city job and getting hired by the city ( unions have nothing to do with who gets hired ).
The point is that when you start thinking of others as parasites and lazy and blaming workers for all the cities wasteful spending spanning many many decades , not just Millers mandate witch by the way Ford was part of.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too, glad you still have a job….
Hey Dan, I did not say it’s OK for anyone to lose their job. The city should be run in an efficient manner and balancing the budget is important same goes with any household.
There is no such thing as a welfare state or job-for-life anymore, losing a job is not the end of the world and it happened to me 3 times. I always picked myself up and it’s all depend on your self-confidence, persistence, and how desperate you need the job. A little less pay than your previous job, so what and at least you can look yourself in the mirror everyday and proudly say you try your best this time and I will try better next time. I haven’t gave up yet and I hope to get something better in the new year.
Merry Christmas to you too but I will definitely watch what I could afford for my love ones, I know they understand.
By the way Dan, I don’t and never had a mortgage before because I am not that lucky as the people you are mentioniong. My paycheck only stays in my account overnight and on the second day I am as broke as when I was the day before payday.
I have 3 mouths to feed and I am not one of the REAL PEOPLE you are talking about, maybe I am less REAL to you. We can trade places anytime, just let me know I will contact you.
Well the chickens have come home to roost. These socialistic “fellow workers” all went into the government to get cushy government jobs, and do nothing all day, and antangonize the common man with their Rules and Regulations, while they sip taxpayer funded lattes in donated mugs promoting the perverted arts, funded by the taxpayers.
In the business world, people actually have to “work.” Well, not work per se, but they have to turn a profit by whatever means necessary… Do social workers turn a profit? No. Nurses? Nope. Lifeguards? Hell no. All these people do is Spend Your Money. And what do we get? A bunch of nurses, lifeguards and social workers that we never use, because conservatives like me don’t depend on taxpayers. We always turn a profit, no matter how many people we have to crush – that’s darwinism, baby.
That’s why Rob Ford is the MAN. He has no problem attacking the defenders of the weak and pathetic. And that’s what Toronto needs to become a more agressive, American-style, business-friendly place. That and an NFL football team (with it’s own stadium). And shooting ranges. We’ll be needing the guns to take on the 99% by the end of his term. LOL. Kidding.
Just another politician lying to citizens
You think nurses and social workers and all the “cushy government jobs”. My mother has devoted years to working for the city and all your doing is shut down decades of work. If you think their job is so easy why dont you try it for a day. Better yet, even an hour. You wouldnt last with that attitude. Let Mayor Ford do as he pleases and when you find yourself needing one of these professions you will be sorry and regret your words. A city wouldnt function without these professions. So lets get rid of them and see how much money you business people can make. The city will fail if you choose that ridiculous mentality.
Ps. Get a dictionary and if you think you are an educated business man then show it with some intelligent responses