A longer, more detailed, version showed up this morning in the print Harrisburg Patriot-News, and online under the headline "Budget would cut public's access."
Thanks, Mr. Thompson, for getting the word out!
This morning's version includes this:
Library staffers would not comment publicly about Wednesday's meeting, saying they'd been told to direct all press contacts to the Education Department press office. Privately, several confirmed the details of the plan.And isn't that last bit part of the problem? Nothing is "final" until the budget bill is passed and the governor signs it. Legally, sure, that's the case. But some people would think that our staff has earned the right for a little decency and respect on this matter. Our lives and careers have been put into limbo since early February because we do not know whether we will have jobs after July 1st.
Education officials did not respond to requests for comment on the meeting, noting no plans are final until the budget is adopted.
And, apparently, "education officials" don't care enough to give us more direction than this.
Most of us are 'doing the math,' or trying to, and attempting to figure out if we will be among the 21 who have jobs or the 30 who don't. (as a footnote, did everyone notice how the goal of a 50% reduction in staffing has now slipped to more like a cut of 60%?)
But while we can count up our own seniority, what we can't do is tell whether the state librarian's plans call for 3 techs or 7, for 2 assistants or 5, and so on. All we can really guess is that if we're the most senior person in our classification, we probably have a job; and if we're the most junior, we probably don't.
And that is really a pain. Would it be that difficult for the administration to share its plans for staffing needs with the staff at the State Library of Pennsylvania?
The problem is and has always been the arrogance of the Department of Education's folks in charge. I can say this as a former employee who witnessed this firsthand. I wish their operation would be audited by a third-party contractor. I think the findings would be sad at best and unthinkable at worst. Who are these people and how is it they get away with this?
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that someday they will have to account for their actions. In the meantime, I don't know how they can face themselves in a mirror. Politics as usual are rampant in the PA Department of Education and especially the HR office.
I applaud whoever is writing this blog. Remember, "The only thing necessaray for the success of evil is that good men do nothing." by Edmund Burke
It IS very frustrating sitting around on our... backsides, knowing very little about what's going on. But here's something that hasn't yet been mentioned from that article: "Privately, several confirmed the details of the plan." Leaking to the press does get the word out, but it doesn't help us in the least. We have lost credibility in the eyes of some who may actually be able to help, and the little that has been shared with us to this point has officially become absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteSo, to whomever handed the transcript of our staff meeting to a reporter, I humbly submit the following offer: Please feel free to SHUT THE #@!! UP.
Oh, wait - I forgot. The damage has already been done. In that case, as one who stands to lose much more than just a job, I heartily thank you for your help. Still, the aforementioned offer stands.