Millions of dollarswould have to be cut from education and law enforcement if the Prince George’s County Council approves wage increases for 1,400 unionized county workers, according to County Executive Rushern Baker’s administration.
A budget document obtained Monday from Baker’s office calls for trimming $12 million in his proposed fiscal 2012 budget — including $1.3 million in cuts to the school system — to pay for the potential pay
increases.
“In order for us to maintain the services that are going to move the county forward … giving raises to any employee right now is not sustainable,” said Baker spokesman Scott Peterson.
| Proposed budget cuts if unions get pay raises | ||
| Police | $2.4 million | |
| Fire | $1.7 million | |
| Schools | $1.3 million | |
| P.G. Community College | $1 million | |
The county’s police, fire and corrections departments — which would lose more than $3 million combined — wouldn’t be able to hire new recruits under the proposal. Other changes would include eliminating two new positions in the State’s Attorney’s Office to save $263,400, cutting 12 full-time library jobs to save $301,600 and cutting $1 million in funding to Prince George’s County Community College.
Former County Executive Jack Johnson negotiated the 2 percent cost-of-living wage increase for local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees at the end of his term last year. The council has to approve the increase, and the legislation is expected to come up for a vote May 17.
The AFSCME raises would cost the county $1.6 million a year. But Baker fears the approval of pay raises for one union would force raises for all unionized county employees, costing the county $12 million.
Councilwoman Karen Toles, D-Suitland, a former AFSCME employee who supports the wage increase, disputes that the county would have to pay other unions wage increases too.
“What’s before us right now is the AFSCME contract and nothing else,” she said. “No other union contracts.”
About 72 percent of county employees are represented by unions. Glen Middleton, executive director of AFSCME Council 67, could not be reached for comment.
Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner, D-Bowie, said she plans to vote against the salary increase. “I wish there was additional resources available, but I just don’t see where we can continue to be financially sound and be able to provide the services and provide COLAs at the same time,” she said.
Baker also is revising his proposed $2.6 billion budget to reflect the county bringing in about $5 million in revenue less than projected, mostly from collecting fewer dollars from transfer and recordation taxes associated with real estate purchases.
The revised budget chops away at the $5.4 million shortfall with measures such as reducing the number of vehicles to be acquired by the county and delaying the start of recruiting classes for public safety officers. Those classes would be eliminated if the pay raises are approved.
The County Council has to approve a budget by June 1.
