lay off were staffing the emergency center. Stella praised the work of the team at


the center. “Even though they got pink slips, they


continued to perform their jobs. No one got frustrated. Luckily, there was a reprieve and they didn’t lose their jobs in the last layoff threat,” Stella said. Tedesco, project manager on traffic


and sign signals at the emergency operation center, was one of about 25 who received pink slips. “I didn’t feel good about it,” Tedesco


said. “Laying people off, especially during a time like this, would really hurt the state. Layoffs won’t benefit the state at all.” Jim Romeyn, a civil engineer 1 and


PEF Division 258 council leader, said the people working at DOT are like a family. “We pull together and work together.


There is a lot of cooperation. We’re a good team that gets the work done for the public. With so many natural disasters occurring in the state and throughout the world, we need everyone on board. Pink slips should just be unthinkable.”


SUBMERGED—Themechanical building at the Mohawk River Lock 8 was totally flooded by Irene. (Above) GuyTedesco and (left) regional emergencymanager Dan Howardmonitor the damage at the emergency operations center in Schenectady. (Below) JimRomeyn and Mike Stella assess the wash out at a tributary of the South Chuctanunda Creek.The culvert destroyed by the storm had been rebuilt just two years ago.


www.pef.org


The Communicator October 2011—Page 9


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