Exact Number Unreported; Falloff In Traffic Cited
It's no secret that fewer people are flying today... be it on
the airlines, or in their own private or rented aircraft. But that
may not be the entire reason why one city has started cutting back
its aviation advisory council.
According to the Jacksonville (FL) Business Journal, at least 12
employees with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority lost their jobs
this week. JAA spokesman Michael Stewart says the layoffs -- an
exact number is hard to come by -- are part of a larger effort to
slash some $809,000 in salary and benefits from the authority's
payroll.
Stewart added the cuts are an attempt to keep the authority's
bond rate intact, and to maintain an eight month supply of
unrestricted cash and an operating margin of at least 30
percent.
Those all sound like steps an entity concerned with maintaining
profitability, in the face of declining revenues, would take... but
one JAA member says there are also political machinations at
work.
Donald Green is president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge
that represents police at the authority. He told the Business
Journal the layoffs are part of a plan by Executive Director John
Clark to make the JAA more attractive to possible private
investors.
"He's just using this to further his agenda," Green said.
Stewart responds the authority is looking into a plan that would
privatize airport concessions, with a special committee's report on
the idea expected before the end of the year.
JAA is taking steps towards increased privatization just as one
city official wants further controls on JAA's financial authority.
City Councilman Ray Holt plans to introduce legislation next week
that would hold JAA more accountable to the city on how it spends
its money.
That bill would make the council "the legislative body for
approving collective bargaining agreements and resolving collective
bargaining impasses," reads a draft proposal. It would also limit
the number of budgeted positions allowed to be privatized to 20
percent, and restrict Clark's authority to negotiate labor
contracts.
"We get the sense there isn't enough respect for City Council
and the public," said fellow councilman Clay Yarborough. "I
question the leadership over there."
Stewart says the council's plan goes against the best interests
of the city, and its airports... adding there's no need for
legislative intervention.
"We think [the proposed legislation] is anti-productive in terms
of operating the business, and we’ve operated the budget very
soundly, and have a strong financial position," said the JAA
spokesman. "But unfortunately these are difficult times that
require cuts."