Privatization will hurt Brick, union official says

Ibelieve laying off 53 public servants is going to have a very negative impact on the quantity and quality of services here in Brick.

This mayor seems to be antiunion and against civil service and is not moving forward in good faith. I hope Commissioner Cooper of the Civil Service Commission really scrutinizes the so-called restructuring plan. Most of the lay offs are from the Public Works Department.

The mayor states, "This is part of a long-term restructuring plan." I can only assume this means more privatization and more cuts in services. Janitorial services and inspection services are already going out to bid. I hope the plan doesn't include more layoffs of public servants.

Privatization and corporate greed are not the answer; they work for profit. Public service employees work for you, the resident. We know who pays our salaries. Think about it, who is going to give you better customer service — some private company or workers who live and work right here in Brick?

Many workers have either lived here at one time or still reside here. We work for our own family, friends and neighbors. We provide better service with a sense of pride in our own community.

Please do not fall for themisinformation you may be reading in various newspapers. Negotiations and the lay-off plan are two separate issues. The insinuation that union concessions and small healthcare contributions could stop this massive lay-off plan is simply not true! We cannot fix the $3.8 million shortfall the township is facing. Maybe they should have been doing some better planning all along. It does not seem fair that the mayor created new jobs at a time 53 workers are facing layoffs!

John T. Menshon Chairperson, Brick section TWU, Local 225, Branch 4

Brick