Because the17 City -- we have calculated, the City18 actually pays more per member per month19 than what we're getting from the City,20 and less benefits. So don't penalize us21 to say for what we do, you know. Reward22 us for the job we done and helped the23 City. Don't say --24 (Applause.)25 126 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
Don't say -- and2 because I try not to speak about it,3 because it's projected the wrong way.4 The City employees don't pay anything out5 of their paychecks. Well, that damn sure6 ain't because of the money the City7 didn't give us for the past 47 months.8 (Applause.)9
So as I said,10 we're looking for you to fight for us11 fairly. That's what we're looking for.12 That's what we're looking for from this13 Mayor. Because the more that I hear from14 this Mayor, the more I hear -- more and15 more I hear a republican speaking.16 We have saved him the money.17 We have sacrificed. Every time the Mayor18 made that call and said, Pete, help me, I19 answered. Every time he said, Help me20 again, I answered. Every time he called,21 I answered. The last time he called and22 said that he needed help from the State23 Legislature because of the people that24 are in now, I said, I'm calling you to25 127 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 return the favor, to do what is fair, to2 do what is fair. And I said, Take heed3 for this. Take heed for this, because4 eventually the media is going to get this5 point across. All these new6 publications, all these anti-union people7 out there are going to get this across.8 All the reporters out there that have9 been screwed by their newspaper unions10 also, they're going to get this point11 across. And you better understand, you12 better understand, it's about what's13 fair. We're not asking for anything.14 All we're asking for is fair treatment.15 Please, please, I'm making this16 appeal to City Council. I would never17 say please to the Mayor ever, but I'm18 pleading with you. I'm pleading with you19 to take heed --20 (Applause.)21
I am pleading22 with you to take heed and help us with23 this just plight of the workers and the24 citizens and the taxpayers that live and25 128 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 work and have to live and want to live2 and work in this city and make this city3 work.4 Thank you.5 (Standing ovation.)6
Are7 there any questions or comments from8 members of the Committee?9 (No response.)10
No11 one.12 (Audience members yelling.)13 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:14 Mr. Matthews, your microphone may not15 have been working too well, but I will16 tell you, we all heard you loud and17 clear, and we certainly know how18 passionate you are, and I don't think19 that's a secret. That is not a secret.20 But at this point in time, I21 would like to recognize Councilman Green.22
Thank you,23 Madam Chair.24 Thank you very much for your25 129 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 testimony. We had testimony in City2 Council last week about healthcare3 savings that can be attendant in the4 exempt employees in the City and some5 other unions moving to self-funding plans6 and also with respect to making7 investments in preventative measures, in8 addition to the cost containment measures9 that the City is not actually doing at10 this point.11 Based on that testimony, it's12 clear that just with exempt employees, by13 the City's own testimony, we could be14 saving almost $7 or $8 million a year15 from what we're currently doing, and we16 haven't done it for the last three years.17 So that's 21 million if you add it up18 over the last three years, and that19 doesn't include really any cost20 containment. That's going to21 self-funding, and that doesn't include22 investing in preventative measures; for23 example, paying extra attention to people24 with diabetes, having clinics that people25 130 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 can go to daily.2 So there are tremendous savings3 still within City government in the areas4 that are outside of DC 33's control or DC5 47's control. And I just want to thank6 you for your testimony today pointing out7 all the savings that you have made in8 healthcare, and I'm sure you continue to9 work on that all the time. I hope that10 the City is paying attention, the11 Administration is paying attention, and12 they're going to make our system as13 efficient as your system. I certainly14 wish I could be a part of your healthcare15 plan.16 (Applause.)17
And to answer18 that, Councilman, we have also done that19 in District Council 33. As you know -- I20 don't know if you're aware -- we have our21 own clinic. We have done cost22 containment with the diabetes. That's23 just about -- that's how we survived for24 this period of time over the years with25 131 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 our healthcare.2 So we've done all that. We've3 been at the forefront of doing that. As4 I said, we went self-funded. We were the5 first to go self-funded. We did all6 that. We did everything. I mean, the7 Mayor took his cue from us to do those8 things. So he fell in line in back of9 us, got that in arbitration from the --10 award from the FOP. And we're willing to11 sit down and discuss some of those things12 in our negotiations and the way that13 healthcare was changed in that agreement14 with the funding of the administrative15 plan, paying your bills, all those type16 of things.17 What the Mayor wants to do is,18 he wants to say that your members must19 pay. Well, that should be --20 (Audience members yelling.)21
Hold it. Hold22 it. Hold it.23 That should be determined by24 us; more specifically, from the funding25 132 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 that we get from the City. You should2 not determine what our members are going3 to pay, unless we don't have -- we can't4 sustain the funding that you give us.5 Case in point: FOP. What they6 have is, they pay the bills. They get7 their administrative costs. They don't8 pay. We're open to sit down and work out9 the same thing.10 This is overkill against this11 union. And I might say, I'm also going12 to say this, some of the things that are13 happening are happening to a largely14 minority union. If you look at the15 facts, these are the things that's16 happening. These things -- this is the17 fact. So that's one of the things that18 we are highly upset with the Mayor about19 is, you know.20 The Mayor speaks of that he's21 our friend, he's going to look out for22 us. This is what he said. This is what23 he constantly said. And every time when24 we come to sit down, it's something25 133 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 different. For friends like that, I2 don't need. I need real friends.3
Well, just4 for the record, over the past three5 years, I know that five committees were6 formed, the Technology Committee, a7 Health Committee, a few other committees,8 and in the first year where your union9 and other unions accepted a one-time10 payment instead of a raise, you were11 going to work for a year with those five12 committees to try to find areas of common13 ground. Can you tell me of those five14 committees, how many times they met in15 that year?16
I don't recall17 meeting. I don't recall meeting. But18 let me tell you this --19
I don't recall22 meeting, but think about this: We have23 not got any increases in four years.24
So we did those2 things. We sat down and did those3 things. We didn't have to ask the City.4 We did all those things. What I want the5 Council to take heed is, we have not6 received a dime. We worked all those7 things out. We were ahead of the curve,8 and we sat down and did those things. So9 the City never paid us a dime. All we're10 asking for is fair treatment to go11 forward from this year on and to help us12 to continue the job that we're doing.13 That's only fair.14 And understand -- let me say15 this. And understanding that, yes, there16 was a financial crisis out here to the17 City. We understand that. Because one18 of the first things that some of the19 Councilpeople said to me and the first20 thing that the newspapers said to me,21 Well, what concessions are you going to22 make?23 Well, what I said was, I'm not24 going to make any concessions, but what I25 135 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 did in negotiating with the City, we2 continued on to operate.3 Now, in that period of time, if4 we had to make the adjustment with our5 members to pay, that wouldn't have been6 on the City. That would have been on us.7 So what I'm saying, we should not be8 penalized because we had the foresight to9 do a good job. And I make the point10 again --11 (Applause.)12
I just want to13 make this point again with the City. The14 Mayor came in and cut the non-union15 people, cut them, made them pay, made16 them pay for everything. They're17 actually paying more money for them and18 they got less benefits. So what they'll19 say to us is, Well, you don't pay. Well,20 that's not because of the City. That's21 because we were smart enough to do the22 things that you talk about.23
That's24 right. That's right. Well,25 136 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 Mr. Matthews, I just want you to know2 that I appreciate personally everything3 you've done, and I'm going to stand with4 you and I'm not going to take a cost of5 living increase until you get a contract.6 (Applause.)7 (Audience members yelling.)8
Thank you,11 Madam President.12 Good afternoon, gentlemen. You13 know, that was one hell of a compelling14 statement that you just made, and as I15 listened to it very intently, I can't16 think of a single thing that you said17 that I disagree with.18
And as all21 the Councilmembers did during the course22 of the negotiation when the City first23 started experiencing the problems with24 its fiscal house, those phone calls also25 137 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 came from us to ask you would you help,2 right? You didn't say it, but we were3 calling you, too.4
I'm hearing6 what you're saying. You're asking for7 that phone call to be returned in a8 different way.9
And the one13 thing, speaking for myself personally,14 that I'm not going to do is over-promise,15 because the worst thing to do is promise16 somebody something that you know you17 can't do. But I think there are some18 things that we can do, particularly19 around this whole contracting out20 business, right? Because at the end of21 the day, every time a job is contracted22 out, that job leaves not only the union,23 but too often it leaves the City.24
So what I2 would like to say personally, I would3 like to commit today on that particular4 part of the problem -- and I know there's5 a whole lot of problems as it relates to6 that -- that I would like for us to work7 with you in a very targeted way to start8 talking about dealing with some of these9 contracting out issues.10 (Applause.)11
I12 personally make that commitment, because13 I can only speak for myself, but I14 personally make that commitment to make15 that my number one priority. All right?16 (Applause.)17
Thank you,21 Ms. President.22 Thank you, Mr. Matthews, for23 your comments. One of the things that we24 have done as a body is introduced Bill25 139 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 No. 100748, which specifically addressed2 what Councilman Clarke is talking about,3 to talk about whether or not it's better4 to keep jobs within the rank and file of5 union members, within City members,6 versus sending them out to places like7 Jersey, and we're taking a hard look at8 that. As we try to balance a budget, the9 truth be told, it's cheaper to keep her10 and cheaper to keep it in-house.11 So now that we have your12 testimony to also talk about, we hope13 that you understand that you guys aren't14 from another planet, you're our15 neighbors, you're our neighbors, and that16 when you do well, when you do well, we do17 well.18 (Applause.)19
Listen,20 listen, listen, first of all, City21 Council doesn't negotiate the contract,22 but what we do is vote on the budget. So23 as we have in the past when it came to a24 tax raise to support the salaries of25 140 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 workforce so we didn't have to reduce,2 watch how we vote, simple as that.3 Enough of that. Watch how we vote.4 Thank you.5 (Applause.)6
Does7 anyone else --8 (Audience members yelling.)9
Would10 anyone else want to be recognized?11 The Chair recognizes12 Councilwoman Brown.13
Thank you14 for your testimony. As Councilman Clarke15 indicated, it has been quite16 enlightening, giving us an additional set17 of facts outside of the meetings we18 enjoyed with you around the conference19 room table.20 I took a lot of notes here and21 the one question I have, Councilman22 Clarke raised. What services to date23 have been contracted out? Because that24 helps us on this end when it comes to25 141 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 being well informed.2
We don't have3 that information to testify here, so we4 would have to get that information to5 you, as well Councilman Clarke, and we'll6 get that information to you on the7 services that have been contracted out.8
Because we9 need to be on the record in letting you10 know, for every single department that11 has come before City Council, the case12 has been made that when you send work out13 of town, that's not acceptable to members14 of Council. Philadelphia first, women15 and people of color first.16 (Audience members yelling.)17
Absolutely18 right. And so it's important to us that19 you know that that is a regular,20 consistent question raised every single21 time a City department comes before us.22 So we'll look forward to that23 information, and I look forward to24 working with Councilman Clarke and25 142 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 others, who do care about making sure2 that jobs stay in the City.3 (Applause.)4
Does5 anyone else want to be recognized?6 (No response.)7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:8 Seeing no one, Mr. Matthews, thank you9 very much. We do appreciate your10 testimony and your coming in.11
Thank you, too.12 And, you know, I also want to tell the13 City Council people again, don't ignore14 the sacrifices that we made in this city.15 Don't cause this to be a problem that we16 don't want to make and when you get out17 there and your constituents are disrupted18 and they find out the reason why we're19 doing what we have to do. I mean,20 consider -- I hear what you're saying21 about contracting out, but consider the22 money that we've saved this city over the23 years when the Mayor made that call and24 said he was in financial distress, when25 143 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 he had problems, as the Councilman said,2 when he made the call to you, when he3 made the call to me and we did something4 unprecedented, because I know some of5 you -- man, I am old. Not too many of6 you have been around here, except for7 Jannie, as long as I have. So we've been8 around here. And you know in9 negotiations, we always negotiate and10 said after we negotiate, you find the11 money. We didn't do that this time. The12 Mayor asked. We delivered. The Mayor13 didn't do a contract. We continued to14 deliver.15 These members are hearing16 what's going on. They getting17 frustrated. They getting more and more18 frustrated from this stuff.19 (Applause.)20
We understand.21 We understand that the Mayor negotiates22 the contract, but you pass the budget.23 We understand what he does. We24 understand. We understand. All these25 144 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 people in this room understand what the2 Mayor does. And the Mayor plays this3 same old game of sliding and sliding.4 But I'll tell you what the members of5 District Council 33 tell me. If you a6 leader, you lead. You find a way. I7 found a way in this healthcare, and we8 survived.9 We should not be penalized for10 doing a good job, and that's what's going11 on here. And I'm sick and tired of some12 of these politicians and some of these13 mayors going around expounding the word14 of Martin Luther King and saying how he15 made them where they are today and not16 recalling that Martin Luther King died17 for workers. He died for workers. And18 he would turn over in disgust to see what19 is happening to the workers today.20 And workers will not be turned21 down. We will do whatever we have to do.22 Remember that. It's not a threat, and23 believe me, believe me, it's not idle24 talk, because I am not going to make25 145 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 concessions, not after the sacrifices2 that we made to the union -- to the City.3 We will not --4 (Standing ovation.)5
We will not be6 abused. We will not be. I'm telling7 you. I mean what I say. I said it. I8 would rather die after what we sacrificed9 and give back.10 If you heard me over there, I11 told them what my uncle told me. I mean12 it. This is not rhetoric. I don't run13 for nothing. I wouldn't want to be14 Mayor. I wouldn't want to do this job as15 City Council, because I can't get along16 with people that well. So I couldn't do17 it. There's no way I can do it. But my18 uncle told me something one day, Howard19 McCall, President of 403. He told me20 this, and it stuck in my mind. He said,21 Many are called; few are chosen.22 I was chosen for this job, and23 I was chosen --24 (Applause.)25 146 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
I was chosen to2 do what I have to do for the workers that3 made this city, made this city work, made4 all of us that are here today, the5 sacrifices that are made, the people from6 the '30s and '40s that were making 8, 9,7 10 dollars a week, no benefits, nothing,8 dirt under they nails, ashes in they9 nostrils. This is what they went through10 to get what we got today. So I will11 not -- I refuse, I refuse to take low12 from anybody when we have done our part,13 understanding what is going on with this14 city, what is going on today. And I hope15 that the Mayor is not doing this for16 looking further down the road, because he17 seems to be talking more outside the City18 than he does in it. And I'm telling you,19 we going to follow him or anybody else20 that tries to destroy this union.21 I am sick of this treatment. I22 am sick of feeling used. And all I'm23 doing is -- and, City Council, I want you24 to understand, all I'm doing is making25 147 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 the statement speaking for the members of2 this union. Please do not ignore us.3 Thank you for your time.4 (Standing ovation.)5 (Audience members yelling.)6 (Pause.)7
The8 Committee will stand in recess until9 5:30. Thank you.10 (Short recess.)11 MR. McPHERSON: Our first12 witness is Ellen Wert.13
You14 have been extremely patient and I want to15 thank you. I know that we had hearings16 up until -- I'm sure you saw the crowd17 downstairs.18
Yes. Thank you,19 Madam President, and I thank you for your20 patience and making this extra session.21
Okay,22 Dear. Would you please recognize23 yourself for the record and proceed with24 your testimony.25 148 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1
Okay. 4 Madam President and -- well,5 absent members of the City Council, thank6 you for this opportunity to speak to you7 about the vital importance of8 Philadelphia's Department of Parks and9 Recreation. My name is Ellen Wert, born10 in Logan, longtime resident of11 Germantown. 8 Moreover, the results of our 25-year9 effort have proved a magnet, first for10 responsible homeowners and, more11 recently, developers who have carefully12 restored the historic apartment buildings13 next to and now nearby the park. 20 Philadelphia's vast and varied system of21 parks is unique. 1 way. 6 But I invite you to stop by7 Cloverly Park to see other less8 quantifiable benefits. Among the9 children and parents gathered, you would10 notice remarkable diversity, diversity11 that extends far beyond simply black and12 white. 16 Our neighborhood's 25-year17 quest to reclaim, improve and maintain18 Cloverly Park has made people more19 vigilant about the neighborhood. When20 good is the norm, something not so good21 stands out. It has given neighbors an22 occasion to work together and build trust23 and understanding. 1 increasing involvement in community2 issues. It is no accident that among the3 people who have recently gathered to4 voice concerns about Chelten Plaza, so5 many have pushed wheelbarrows of mulch at6 our park. 8 With us all the way has been9 the staff of Fairmount Park, now Parks10 and Recreation. Frankly, we are amazed11 at what they can accomplish with so12 little money and so few people. 15 The Philadelphia Parks16 Alliance, whose analysis of funding17 trends I include here for your review,18 urges not only restoring the level of19 funding, itself hardly adequate, but20 increasing it. 22 And here's why: Cloverly23 represents just one little slice of24 Germantown. 1 parks that are part of the fabric of the2 City's neighborhoods and consider the3 impact and potential impact of each. By4 adequately funding this city's unique5 system of Parks and Recreation6 facilities, you have an opportunity to7 make a strategic investment unlike any8 other. The dollars that support Parks9 and Recreation go well beyond the10 physical facilities. 14 Now, with the merger of15 Fairmount Park and the Department of16 Recreation, you might applaud the fact17 that these two important entities no18 longer must compete against each other19 for scant dollars. And yet they still20 compete. The Recreation facilities are21 under enormous pressure to serve the22 City, its children in particular. 1 disadvantaged, the role of these2 facilities is critical. 8 Keep in mind that the way9 Cloverly Park looked in 1986 had much to10 do with decades of benign neglect that11 became decades of abusive neglect that12 drove away homeowners. 17 There is only so much that18 well-intentioned neighbors with trowels19 and spades can do. And I might add, not20 every park has those neighbors yet. 3
Thank4 you, Ms. Wert. We do appreciate your5 taking the time to come in to testify.6 And your park sounds lovely.7
And I9 think it's an indication to me what can10 happen when the community works together,11 with the cooperation of Parks and12 Recreation.13
Thank you. Thank18 you so much, and thank you for your19 patience and time.20
Thank21 you.22 Any questions from members of23 the Committee or any comments?24 (No response.)25 155 5/3/11 - WHOLE - BILL 110135, ETC.1 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:2 Seeing no one, again, I thank you.3
Is5 there anyone else to testify?6 Are you testifying, sir?7 UNIDENTIFIED WITNESS: No.8
I9 don't believe we have anybody else.10 We're just checking to see if there's11 anybody downstairs.12 (Pause.)13
This14 Committee will stand in recess until15 Thursday, May the 5th at 9 o'clock.16 Thank you.17 (Committee of the Whole18 adjourned at 6:10 p.m.)19 - - -20 21 22 23 24 25 156 1 CERTIFICATE2 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the3 proceedings, evidence and objections are4 contained fully and accurately in the5 stenographic notes taken by me upon the6 foregoing matter on May 3, 2011, and that this7 is a true and correct transcript of same.8 9 10 11 12 --------------------13 MICHELE L. MURPHY14 RPR-Notary Public15 16 17 18 (The foregoing certification of this19 transcript does not apply to any reproduction20 of the same by any means, unless under the21 direct control and/or supervision of the22 certifying reporter.)23 24 25