It has been a hectic week at work, to say the least. It is Friday, and almost time for me to clock out. I came in early today since the neighborhood center had a rental. The high school near where I work was having a breakfast for graduating seniors involved in one of its academic programs. The Magnet program, as a matter of fact. The caterer, Tijuana Flats, served breakfast burritos. And the burritos were out of this world!

If you are ever in Orlando, check out Tijuana Flats. There are several locations. As for the city of Orlando itself, things have not been going well, due to the economy. We received an e-mail from the director of our department on Tuesday regarding a emergency meeting for that Wednesday, May 13. If it is mandatory and last minute, you know something is up.

As it turns out, with the economy worsening, as well as the tax base being less, the city announced that every department must cut twelve percent off of its budget for the next fiscal year. That means that there will be over 300 employees laid off. Half of those positions will be positions that are currently vacant, but the other half has a name and a face. It is not concrete yet, but unless the city can come up with other ways of trimming the budget without letting anyone go, layoffs are eminent.

If layoffs are to occur, it will be done by seniority. As for our department, there will be a few let go, as well as cuts in purchasing. As for yours truly, I am fine. I just started my twenty-fourth year of service. I am, however, not out of the woods just yet. The city is looking into voluntary separation, meaning that they may try to propose some incentives for people to leave. Such as early retirement.

I will know more in July, after the city has a better idea of how much money will be coming in from the property tax. There is also the issue with the unions. Recently, the unions representing city employees had agreed with the city on new contracts insuring its members that they will receive a yearly raise. Now, the city is asking the unions to reconsider the contract and give up something to prevent the layoffs.

As for me, I am not crazy about it, but if I was asked to take a wage freeze in order to keep someone from being layed off, I would have to consider it. And I would also approve of a move. Like I said, I am not crazy about it. But if you had to chose between no raise or no job, which would you choose? And with the ways things are right now, I would rather help save someone's job.

So that is what is going on right now, beside that the facility supervisor is relocating to another center. I hate to see her go, but because she is moving to another facility, she is helping someone save their job. There will be a lot of movement going around the next few weeks.

I likely will stay here. But sometime down the road, I may be called into a meeting about possible retirement. All I can say is, wait and see. And update the resume.