Friday, May 06, 2011

MODOT: Once we cut 1,200 workers we can get more work done

The Missouri Department of Transportation has scheduled meetings across the state to explain its plan to eliminate 1,200 jobs and close 135 facilities. Without those pesky workers in the way, the department claims, it can do more work.

All of the meetings have been scheduled during the daytime, making it more difficult for those who work to be able to express their opinions. From the news release:


The MoDOT Southwest District is holding a series of community briefings to share the department's Bolder Five-Year Direction plan that includes reducing the size of the department's staff by 1,200, closing 135 facilities and selling more than 740 pieces of equipment. 
By 2015, the proposed direction will save $512 million that will be used for much needed road and bridge projects.
"We want to give our customers a chance to ask any questions they might have," said Southwest District Engineer Becky Baltz. "We will maintain the level of service in our communities, although doing so with fewer staff."
Southwest District Community Briefings include:
•·         Thursday, May 26; 10:30 a.m., Barry County Courthouse, Cassville
•·         Monday, May 23; 2 p.m. Barton County Courthouse, Lamar
•·         Monday, May 23; 9 a.m. Cedar County Courthouse, Stockton
•·         Monday, May 23; 11 a.m. Dade County Courthouse, Greenfield
•·         Wednesday, May 18; 11:30 a.m., Joplin, Location-TBD
•·         Wednesday, May 18; 3 p.m., Lawrence County Courthouse, Mount Vernon
•·         Wednesday, May 11; 2:30 p.m., McDonald County Courthouse, Pineville
•·         Tuesday, May 17; 1:30 p.m., Newton County Courthouse, Neosho
•·         Friday, May 20; 10 a.m., St. Clair County Courthouse, Osceola
Details for meetings in Bates and Vernon counties are still being finalized and will be released later.
MoDOT will close its district offices in Macon, Joplin and Willow Springs, but will continue to maintain area offices in those cities and have a strong presence in every county in the state.  A map showing the proposed districts can be found athttp://www.modot.org/
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:03 PM

    No doubt in my mind its a done deal. The approval of the Commission is nothing more than a rubber stamp. I feel badly for these people that thought they had a good job for life only to find out they are on the street, literally.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6:22 AM

    If they can get more work done then I guess this is an acknowledgment that they had to many people in the offices instead of out on the road. Same old saying, to many honchos and not enough workers.

    ReplyDelete