The union which represents the City of Prince George's unionized employees is raising concerns about the city's decision to hire an executive assistant for Mayor Shari Green, after 28 city positions were eliminated in January as a cost-saving measure.
CUPE local 1048 president Janet Bigelow said the elimination of 28 positions, including nine layoffs, has impacted city services.
"It has created a burden for people in many ways. There is a snowball effect there," Bigelow said. "I can't help but wonder if there is money to hire someone to help her [Mayor Shari Green], why are they continuing to cut positions here?"
The cuts eliminated the city's environmental services and social development departments, Bigelow said.
During the myPG planning process, city residents worked with the city to identify priorities for the community, she said. Many of the priorities identified include improving air quality and attracting residents to Prince George.
"The biggest stigma [about the city] is air quality. And yet that department is gone," Bigelow said.
"The leader on this should be the city. We're not a big business, we're here to provide services to the citizens of Prince George."
Bigelow also raised concerns about how the candidate was selected and the role that person will be playing.
"There was a position there that existed, but it wasn't just to support the mayor. That position also supported [city manager] Derek Bates... and did some work for the councillors as well."
Although non-union positions are not required to be publicly advertised, she said, a public job posting would likely have drawn a wider range of qualified candidates.
The city is currently advertising job positions on its website for a programmer analyst, computer technician, records clerk, engineering technician, event maintenance worker and three water slide attendants.
The executive co-ordinator position has in the past, and remains to be, a non-union position, she added.
On Oct. 31, during her election campaign, Green called for a hiring freeze at City Hall until a core service review could be completed. The city's core review is expected to be complete in August.
MAYOR RESPONDS
Mayor Shari Green confirmed an executive coordinator for the mayor's office has been hired, starting in April.
Under the city's human resource policies there is no requirement to post non-union positions publicly, Green said.
"I didn't add an assistant, it's the same position that was there before. The previous person had been there for five years," Green said. "It's had a temporary person there, while I was assessing what was needed for the position. It's not an additional position."
Green said the executive co-ordinator is an integral part of the mayor's office. They answer phones, e-mail and confidential correspondence as well as co-ordinate schedules, travel arrangements and other duties.
In addition, the duties of the role have been expanded to provide assistance to city manager Derek Bates as well, she said.
"There was an assistant to the city manager that had been vacant a long time. That position was eliminated," she said.
The pay for the position is approximately $56,000 to $57,000, Green said, which is in line with the city's human resources policies.
"It's significantly less than what the previous person was paid," she said.
"[And] the duties of this role have been expanded."
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