Heath Miller has worked for the Manitowoc County Highway Department for 11 years. That isn't enough seniority to prevent his permanent layoff and that of 34 other AFSCME Local 986 highway workers as they clean out their lockers and turn in their keys on 8/20/2009.
"The world is changing dramatically and none of us are exempt," County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer told board supervisors on the highway committee Tuesday afternoon in announcing and defending the layoffs.
"This doesn't solve everything ... we still have huge challenges and there are still large portions which are totally out of our control ... it's not anybody's fault," Ziegelbauer said.
The 30 layoffs mean 15 union workers and 10 non-represented highway workers - to be cut to eight by year's end - will be responsible for road maintenance till snow starts falling.
Then, Ziegelbauer anticipates calling back, based on seniority, about 15 of the 35 laid-off union workers, or more should snow removal needs necessitate additional personnel.
Wednesday's Herald Times Reporter newspaper and Web site will have additional information.