Posted by DumbBell Calif 94027, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Jul 12, 2011 at 6:25 pm

Way to go Council

Another million and a half dollar Police Chief's pension commitment (the third in three years), and a big fat law suit from the union.

Impressive

Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Jul 12, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Congratulations Council and Danielson - you are doing the right thing and not being intimidated by threats of a law suit which would have little chance of success.

It is time to move on.

Posted by Ernesto, a resident of another community, on Jul 12, 2011 at 10:24 pm

Don't give these entitled union bureaucrats an inch. Atherton will save a bunch of money that it can use to do what it was intended to do (provide for the public good). The net job loss will be 0, and the private sector replacements to the laid off workers will be fairly compensated and more productive. The private sector has proven time and again its productivity per worker far exceeds their public counterparts.

Next, consolidate the police. Inefficient use of public money must no longer be tolerated. Good start, Atherton.

Posted by Jerome Leugers, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2011 at 9:28 am

City Council Members,

It's not easy or popular to do the right thing. Good job.

Posted by POGO, a resident of the Woodside: other neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2011 at 9:44 am

GREAT post, Jerome!

This will be very difficult, the union will come at the town with guns blazing. Your Town Council needs your support and encouragement!

Posted by Michael G. Stogner, a resident of another community, on Jul 13, 2011 at 12:01 pm

Great post Jerome,

For the first time, Atherton has a City Manager who understands what his job is and who he works for......You the property owners of Atherton. Also you have a Council who is supporting his efforts. Tell as many of you neighbors about this. Very few are aware.

Time to send a message to Shelley Kessler

Posted by Atherton Resident, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Good job town council. You did what was best for the town.

"Mr. Finn did not provide the section of the government code in question" because he is blowing smoke.

Hey union folks, how's that strike threat working out for you?

Your greed resulted in no job.

Bye bye local 856 and do not come back.

Posted by Arch Conservative, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Can we get the Atherton Council to counsel the Menlo Park Council on how to deal with Teamsters and Public employee unions? Sounds as if Atherton is on the right track.

Posted by new guy, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2011 at 2:25 pm

Seconded!

Next time the MP counsel needs to go on a "fact finding mission" trip, to learn better how to manage the town, they can literally walk next door to Atherton to learn how they manage in the best interests of their represented taxpayers.

Way to GO Atherton!!!

Posted by Interested bystander, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2011 at 2:33 pm

See Calif Govt Code 19130 as possible source of union's legal argument

Posted by John P Johns, a resident of another community, on Jul 13, 2011 at 6:25 pm

As a point of background, I'm working as a researcher for SEIU International at present. In my capacity as a researcher, I consult with SEIU's locals on state and local government finance. I have also served as an expert witness in grievance arbitration proceedings.

My recent experience in these respects tells me that the readers of this forum and the Atherton Town Government should guard against being overconfident.

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There are a number of facts that would appear to support the Teamster's petition for a TRO. These include the extraordinarily favorable financial condition of Atherton, despite trying economic times combined with costly mistakes of management in recent years.

I would also expect Mr. Finn who is representing the teamsters to argue that public employees have a liberty interest in their jobs. I would expect him to argue that there were some irregularities in the Town's consideration of cotnracting and laying off of employees which constituted a denial of due process as well a breach of a covenant of good faith.

How this case is adjudicated (if at all) is anybody's guess. All I am saying here is that the path the Town has embarked upon is fraught with peril.

I would also like to offer a word of support for my former colleagues. I am saddened that they have effectively been shown the door after so many years of faithful service.

Contrary to what seems to be the prevailing opinion here, these employees aren't overpaid, nor are the services they provide unaffordable. It is for that reason I feel as though Mr. Danielson's outsourcing of public works and building was a mistake.

Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Jul 13, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Calif Govt Code 19130 applies to State agencies; I can find no language therein that it also applies to local government.