Warren Waits on Concessions from Six

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Updated: 2/09/2010 9:10 am
Warren Mayor Mike O'Brien has been trying for the last year to deal with the city's financial problems and tight budgets.

In an effort to avoid further layoffs, he asked everyone to give up between 2 and 3 percent of their pay.

"My position is, and it will always be, that everyone in the city give concessions, that everyone help," he said. "We are all in this together from the mayor all the way to the operations department worker."

O'Brien, last month, wrote a check to the city for about 2 percent of his pay and made changes in his own health care plan. He said he wouldn't ask employees to do anything he wouldn't do.

City officials said all but a handful of workers have agreed to concessions.

Human Resource Director Gary Cicero said as of late Monday afternoon, the city's police chief, tax administrator and four employees of the auditor's office had not agreed to the concessions.

"We can just ask and of course we are hoping for 100 percent cooperation in the city," O'Brien said.

Police Chief Tim Bowers said he did not want to discuss the issue on camera, saying it was a private matter whether he gives the money back.

Bowers did say he took a $5,700 pay cut when he accepted the police chief's position. He said as a captain he received roll call pay and overtime, something he does not get as a chief.

The four employees of the auditor's office said they did agree to a wage freeze and changes in health care.
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plumb - 2/10/2010 3:07 PM
Sounds like db2sub1 is someone who makes minimum wage and is jealous. Go out and get yourself educated or seek spealized training to make yourself more valuable. Then you can make more. You has a public want all residents in your city to make excellent wages because that will make for a strong and prosperous city. Higher wages are a good thing. Wake up.

db2sub1 - 2/10/2010 8:14 AM
2% cut in pay?? THAT IS NOTHING. Everyone that I know has had either a 100% cut in pay in the past two years (ie, are now unemployed) or have accepted a 25-50% cut. AND THESE WARREN "PUBLIC SERVANTS" MAKE AN ISSUE OUT OF 2% FROM A BANKRUPT CITY?? Shame on them; I'd pink slip them all and open the positions up for bids. No more nepotism, no more political appointees, no more $65,000 a year policemen and $50,000 secretaries.

plumb - 2/9/2010 3:40 PM
I have dealt with the Warren City Income Tax Department many, many times and have always been treated with respect. I have never seen any arrogance there. They don't usually pick up the phone as they have computer directed voice mail. With the current financial crunch, the administration cut their staff in half. That makes no sense at all. A revenue generating city office having its staff cut. My guess is that the contractor writing that first comment doesn't like to work by the rules and is always in a hurry.

stit24 - 2/9/2010 9:09 AM
Warren tax dept. is terrible.Try calling them,you'll be lucky if they pick up the phone. Just had dealings with them the past 8 years as a contractor and every encounter with them is like pulling teeth,and they are arrogant about it. Their dont care and arrogant attitudes have to be unacceptable to the tax payers.They seem to forget who pays their wages.Just do your job,and if you dont like your job,quit and let someone who cares have it.
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