Jacksonville Aviation Authority lays off workers

A drop in air traffic has caused the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to begin laying off workers, but the authority won???t say how many workers have lost their jobs.

At least 12 employees have been laid off, said Donald Green, president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge representing police at the authority

The authority is expecting to cut about $809,000 worth of salary and benefits, which is about 1.2 percent of its $65.1 million operating budget, said JAA spokesman Michael Stewart.

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He said the cuts are an attempt to maintain the authority???s three financial hallmarks: a bond conventional rate of 1.35 percent, eight months supply of unrestricted cash and a 30 percent operating margin.

Green said the layoffs aren???t a reaction to a decline in the authority???s profitability, but Executive Director John Clark???s attempt to make its holdings look more attractive to a company interested in privatizing it.

???He???s just using this to further his agenda,??? said Green.

Stewart said the authority is considering a master-lease agreement that would privatize airport concessions. A special committee in charge of researching the possibility is expected to make a report to the JAA board by the end of the year.

Jacksonville City Councilman Ray Holt plans to propose legislation next week that would increase the authority???s accountability to the council, said fellow councilman Clay Yarborough.

???We think [the proposed legislation] is anti-productive in terms of operating the business, and we???ve operated the budget very soundly, and have a strong financial position,??? said Stewart. ???But unfortunately these are difficult times that require cuts.???

The bill would make the city council ???the legislative body for approving collective bargaining agreements and resolving collective bargaining impasses,??? according a draft. The legislation would also prevent the authority from privatizing more than 20 percent of budgeted positions.

???We get the sense there isn???t enough respect for City Council and the public,??? said Yarborough. ???I question the leadership over there.???

The legislation is being pushed by Green and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters because they believe the JAA board gives a rubber stamp to any of Clark???s decisions, including labor offers.