Shift Optimization will Result in $1.35 Million in Savings

City Council has voted to accept a shift optimization strategy for 2017 that will result in the elimination of four management and 33 unionized positions during the 16 week winter season, as well as one management and 10 unionized positions during the summer season.
 
Included in these staff reductions is the day shift for sidewalk clearing.
 
“Our existing schedule has two day shifts for sidewalk clearing, but upon careful review the Roads Division believes it can provide the same level of service with the minimum number of staff required to clear snow during the winter,” explained Councillor Danny Breen, Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Works. “Despite this reduction, there will still be flexibility to add operators to the sidewalk clearing operation if and when needed.”
 
This strategy is part of ongoing efforts to reduce operational costs without impacting core service delivery.
 
“Council has challenged management to identify opportunities to operate more efficiently, and we are pleased to see that the Department of Public Works has identified a way that the organization can save $700,000 in 2016 and $1.35 million in 2017 without impacting on service,” said Councillor Breen. “We recognize that staff are impacted by this, but as staff costs are the largest portion of our organizational expenses, there are unfortunately few other options to reduce our costs.”
 
The proposed shift optimization will require the elimination of a total of 48 positions. Staff will be supported through the layoff process, and as most positions will be made redundant, unionized staff will be provided with bumping options. Depending on the seniority of the employees involved, the staff reductions could affect other divisions within the City as employees exercise their bumping rights.
 
The Roads Division within the Department of Public Works is responsible for maintenance of City owned streets and sidewalks, including such tasks as snow clearing and ice control in the winter season and street cleaning and asphalt/concrete repairs during the summer season.
 
During the winter season, three shifts provide a minimum of 16 hours of coverage per day. If staff are required beyond this time the remaining hours are covered with overtime. This system provides the City with the flexibility to respond to winter snow and ice events in a timely manner.  Please see the attached backgrounder for shift optimization details.
 
Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca