Kevin Stufflebean appears to believe that the road crew knew in advance of New Year’s Eve they were being let go. He has repeatedly referred to a meeting between Bob Main and Adam Wideman and Dave Peterson before the layoffs. Main, Wideman and Peterson deny ever having any meeting in which they discussed the layoffs. Main claims that he was as surprised as anyone December 31.
Nevertheless, Stufflebean points to the BOC meeting December 31 attended by Wideman who asked if there were cutbacks expected in the next couple of years, or if it was a rumor. Wideman states that he had received a 10 year projection and wage freeze, given at a December 16 special meeting to discuss budget issues for many departments. The projection indicated layoffs beginning 2011 with 40 employees maintained through 2010.
Stufflebean accuses Wideman of having a meeting with Bob Main and therefore knows it is no rumor. Stufflebean has told me that it is ‘interesting’ that Wideman does not dispute meeting with Main. Wideman neither disputes or acknowledges meeting with Main but persists with his real question regarding layoffs.
Stufflebean continues to claim publicly that the Union knew well in advance of the layoffs as Main (then County Assessor) had notified Wideman (then the local union president) despite their denials to the contrary. He did so again last Thursday at a Chamber of Commerce transportation committee meeting.
What is really ‘interesting’ is why it should matter anyway. Clearly, Stufflebean did not inform the road crew, nor did his management staff and no one sent formal notice to the Teamsters until December 31. Why would Stufflebean rely on Main who only attended the December 16 worksession and was never directed to advise the road crew? Why would Main advise the road crew of layoffs when Stufflebean’s presentation did not make clear that any such layoff was imminent? Why is Stufflebean placing responsibility on someone wholly unconnected with the Road Department to communicate with the employees?
Stufflebean asked me to inquire of Greg Baxter the Teamsters 223 rep in Portland when he received ‘informal’ not formal response. Baxter replied he had no idea what Stufflebean was talking about.
The other curious question is why Stufflebean, by repeating this charge against Main and Wideman, is publicly acknowledging that HE DID NOT involve the employees in the decision? To me it seems pretty damning and a clear confession of poor managerial practices.
Moreover, Stufflebean actually seems annoyed at the December 31 meeting that Wideman should know anything at all. My impression from my discussion with Stufflebean is that he believes Main and Wideman conspired against him (to do what is anyone’s guess) but again why would an interim roadmaster and a sitting commissioner rely upon the public present at a budget meeting to inform the road crew they might be laid off? Pretty unprofessional in my opinion and then to announce it at every public meeting to boot, boggles the mind!
Oh, well, enough procrastinating I have to get back to work.
