Union calls for five city hirings

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1861 "has filed two grievances against New Albany, alleging misconduct in filling one job and in eliminating several others by attrition".. "The March 9 grievance states that instead of a part-time, nonunion West Haven Cemetery worker filling a new full-time position at the cemetery, the city should have first contacted the employees laid off when city sanitation services were privatized at the end of 2005, according to AFSCME's contract with New Albany." "Board members Shane Gibson and Tony Toran said because the city can't know which of those former workers would be interested in a particular job, it would make sense and be helpful for AFSCME to communicate with its members about it.". "The March 14 grievance calls for the city to fill two street department positions and two storm drainage positions it has eliminated or intentionally left vacant after those employees retired or were fired. City Controller Kay Garry said in the meeting that the city can no longer afford to fill those jobs given its budget constraints, and board member Chas Hunter added that the city 'must have the authority to determine manpower requirements' for its departments."