Source: by Jenna Portnoy, City Paper (Philadelphia), March 30, 2006
…… While the city boasts that outsourcing would save millions, quell environmental concerns and eliminate noxious odors, employees counter that it would cost taxpayers more money, hurt the environment and address a harmless odor. Most of plant's 100 workers would also have to learn new jobs somewhere else within the city, but "it's not just about our jobs," says one of several longtime employees who did not want their names printed for fear of retribution. "It's about a waste of millions and millions of taxpayer dollars." ….. Underlying this debate is workers' concern that they have been excluded from plans. In a February letter to Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Andrew Bond, the AFSCME District Council 33 agent who represents most BRC employees, declared, "We are confident that there are viable alternatives that will help the Philadelphia Water Department reach its goals of cost and odor control."
