More than 400 City of Rochester employees will be impacted by furloughs, job-shares and cuts caused by financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Lovely Warren announced during a news conference Tuesday that a total of 178 employees would be furloughed. She also announced 208 job shares and 17 separations.
“These changes will generate over $2.1 million in savings in the current year and in the next fiscal year,” said Warren, “allowing us to ensure that not only our uniformed police, fire and 911 employees are protected and available to continue to serve our community, but critical services like refuse, water and environmental service workers and our drive workers that are on the front lines, distributing food, will be able to do so and remain doing so.”
Warren called this a “difficult day” for the city.
“I don’t make today’s decision lightly,” Warren added. “I value every one of our employees and the work they do for our citizens and for all of us. However, we must act now to lessen the impact of this crisis on our community.”
Twenty-five members of the mayor’s office are being affected by these changes.
Warren said medical benefits will continue to be provided for furloughed and job-sharing employees. Separated employees will receive benefits for up to nine months following their last day of work.
Warren said furloughed workers would be able to receive aid made available through the federal CARES Act.
The mayor said Rochester, like other municipalities in New York, is facing a loss of sales tax revenue stemming from the NY on PAUSE order, in addition to potential cuts in aid from the state government. Governor Cuomo has called on the federal government to pass legislation which would specifically aid state and local governments. Warren echoed that call during Tuesday’s news conference.
Warren said it is not yet clear if there will be cuts in the future. That, she says, will depend on a number of factors, including what possible cuts come at the state level.
“I cannot tell you when the end is going to come,” said Warren. “I can assure you that you have a team here at City Hall that’s working across government spectrums to make sure that we not only advocate, but that we tell our representatives what we need in order to continue to provide those essential services to you, our taxpayers.”
— 13 WHAM