EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Michael Evans, head of the local Democratic Party, told me late last year that his troops see privatization of public services as a volatile issue in Campaign 2016.
I thought privatization was dead after the city unions in June 2013 successfully stopped Swearengin’s effort to outsource the city’s residential trash service.
But maybe privatization is a catch-all for Administration-union relations. Employees gave up a lot (via their contracts) to keep the city solvent during the Great Recession. They want to be made whole. They want their compensation to keep pace with the cost of living.
Swearengin as far back as her first term said she wanted to reform the city’s compensation practices, bringing them more in line with Fresno’s challenges and needs.
City employees – victims or fat cats?
I have known Lee for years. He’s a stand up guy and the only one who has been in business and has run a successful business. He’s been an effective councilmen. With that said, I was unhappy that he supported a lawsuit against McCaffery Homes for building across the river in Madera County. What one person or company chooses to do in another county is none of the business of Fresno other than to figure out how to deal with the loss of revenue. Certainly not with a frivolous law suit. Henry Perea is a snake and a typical career politician. He has done nothing save live off of the tax payer. Time to permanently retire this loser from public life. H. Spees is a good guy and has good leadership skills. I am unsure of his business skills which will be needed in this race.