please read notes: Time to Reconsider Privatization?
To the Editor:
In response to the recent letter to the Editor in the December 7th edition of the Lakewood Observer, the Executive Board of ASFCME Public Works Local 1043 would like an opportunity to address the proposition of privatizing the Refuse Department.
When the Fitzgerald administration first took office in Lakewood, a Request for Proposals was initiated looking into the possibility of various divisions being privatized. Amongst these divisions was the Refuse/Recycling division. At that time, City Council researched the cost per household of both backyard, and curbside pickup utilizing members of our Local compared to those services provided by private companies.
After their research was done and submitted by City Council, the Council members realized that our current Refuse Department personnel and pick up was competitive with the private firms. Even if cuts were necessary, and the need to reduce the work force was required, the current members of the division with a change to curbside pickup would still be far cheaper than privatization.
Communities such as Parma and North Olmsted may have seen an initial cost savings within the first years due to the loss of workers/insurance payments. But after those first few years, the cities saw an increase in the cost of the services provided by private firms.
The cost savings for North Olmsted has not saved the city financially. Currently there are plans to lay off 5 Policemen, 5 Firemen, and 5 Public Works employees. Privatization of the refuse removal has done nothing for the city since its implementation prior to 2000.
In a comparison with Westlake, which utilizes BFI, Lakewood’s cost per household was $.39 less. Lakewood picks up 28,416 stops, compared to BFI in Westlake at 11,000. The cost per household in Westlake is $14.99, and Lakewood $14.60 with backyard service for more households.
These communities that have privatized could not bear the brunt of purchasing all new equipment for refuse removal, as they had sold their old equipment at auction. The statement that the cities “would never consider getting back into the business of collecting trash with city employees” is one of personal opinion, unless you are a representative of those cities. Once the equipment is no longer in the possession of the cities, the rates can climb as much as the private firm wants them.
We realize that as the former Regional Manager for municipal programs for BFI Waste Systems, Mr. Keith Davey would like to have the programs that he previously implemented for profit come to pass here in Lakewood. Privatization is not all that it is made out to be in your letter to the Editor.
We understand that it may sound easy for us to say that the best case scenario is to keep all of our current workers in the Public Works Division during this time of economic strife. But we do feel that we provide a service that is not equal to, but greater than any that a private firm could offer. Privatization would be a move of short-sightedness and a large mistake for this city and its residents.
The Executive Board of AFSCME Public Works Local 1043
Gerard Branco-President
Glen Bleich-Vice President
Ray Fisher- Chief Steward
Patrick Slife- Recording Secretary