The 1994 Layoffs

On June 1, 1993 Bret Schundler sends a letter to taxpayers stating, "Hallelujah-we did it.  We cut Jersey City taxes dramatically."  On May 25, 1994, the Jersey Journal reported that municipal taxes decreased. This surplus stemmed from the bulk lien sale.  But while Schundler was returning money to taxpayers, he was also planning a budget shortfall at the same time.

This time table came to light when Robert Lombard was questioned in Judge Samuels' court in 1996.  He told the court that meetings for the layoffs took place in May and June of 1994.

When other cities have layoffs, provisional employees are let go, but Schundler targeted people including civil service, who didn't support him in 1993.  

Since I was not a supporter and a member of the Board of Ethics in which Schundler asked for my resignation, my husband, an employee for 18 years was targeted.  He had achieved permanent status as Assistant Planner and Senior Planner. My husband had bumping rights to Gerald Haizel and Vanissa Joseph.   They were both hired by the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency prior to the July 28th layoff notices being sent out so he would be denied the right to "bump" them. Vanissa Joseph was hired even though she was on a maternity leave through October 1994. Haizel and Joseph stayed at the same office, the same desk, doing the same work, but under a different agency.

The city hired additional personnel in Planning to do planning work but under different job titles.  Once my husband requested a desk audit which revealed that his job was not eliminated.

John J. McDonnell and Sucel Gonzelez from the Department requested a removal of that person but they did not require the city to rehire my husband.  The city eventually re-hired more people under different job titles to do planning and the State Department in Trenton who is suppose to protect civil servants rights, did nothing.   Schundler eventually gave a contract for $500,000 for planning, city ordinance 98-031.

While Schundler was able to exact revenge, his plan also backfired.  Loyal supporters were "bumped" by  targeted employees.  Schundler sent Ervin Haynes to Trenton to pulled certain layoffs notices.  Of the 300 employees that Schundler claimed received layoff notices, approximately 50 civil service employees were fired.