Layoffs have hit the state workforce hard. After members of the State Employees' Association rejected a contract that would have included furloughs, Gov. John Lynch went ahead with layoffs, in order to satisfy a legislative mandate that required him to cut $25 million in personnel costs.
As a result, 192 people were laid off while 16 others took retirement. Eighty-eight workers were demoted or reassigned. Hardest hit were the human services and corrections departments.
But the numbers don't tell the stories of the employees themselves - their contributions to their workplaces or the personal hardships many of them now face. Here are a few of them.
Carole Whitcher
Incarcerated women have trained kittens, been certified as energy auditors and learned English because of Carole Whitcher.
Whitcher, 59, of Goffstown, has worked for the state for 15 years, 11 as a teacher at the women's prison in Goffstown.
"I love my job," Whitcher said. "I like seeing the light get turned on for women, like 'I could really go to college.' I love when they get excited about what they can do with the rest of their life."
Teaching and learning are Whitcher's passions. When her children were 1 and 3, she returned to school for her master's degree, despite the challenges of being a single mother.
When Whitcher first took the job at the prison, she focused on helping women get their GEDs and teaching English as a second language. When there was a push to bring in more high school courses, Whitcher earned a second master's degree in earth science and became licensed to teach the subject at the prison.
She also started a variety of unique programs. She worked with UNH Cooperative Extension to teach 10 women to become certified master gardeners. Working with the Animal Rescue League, she designed a program called Meow Babies, where 150 prisoners learned to take care of foster kittens and prepare them for adoption. She worked with PSNH to teach 45 women to become certified energy auditors. She started a book club. She had the women read college textbooks on tape to help blind UNH students.
"When I started at the prison, I was asked to increase the thirst of women to broaden their knowledge," Whitcher said. "I've done that."
Whitcher hoped to work five more years to save up for retirement.
She already has had a difficult year - her mother died in January, her ex-husband committed suicide in April, and her best friend died of a heart attack.
When Whitcher was laid off, she said, "I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. I felt sad, angry. . . . I'd done everything the Department of Corrections has asked me to do."
Whitcher will be looking for jobs, maybe in energy management. Her dream is to travel to state parks across the country and give presentations on the environment. "I know I need to find another job, not only to keep busy, but I have more to offer," she said. "Hopefully there will be an opportunity to save more money for the long life I hope to live."
Jay Bernier and Wendy Perron
Jay Bernier, 43, and his wife, Wendy Perron, of Franklin, took a double hit. Both worked for the state's multiple offender program, which provided residential treatment in Laconia to the most serious drunken drivers. Bernier was an instructor and dormitory supervisor, and Perron was a cook. The program closed, and both were laid off.
"We lost all the income in the family," Bernier said.
Bernier used to be a self-employed finish carpenter. He started volunteering for the multiple offender program a few hours a month, and when a job opened up, friends encouraged him to apply. He started working for the state part time in February 2006; Perron got her job there that August.
Bernier taught offenders life skills - things like how to deal with stress without resorting to substance abuse. "I enjoyed giving them some information and some help so they could move on with their life," Bernier said. (next page »)
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Comments
I will say it for the last time!
By thurbs11 - 10/27/2009 - 12:24 pmI'll make this clear, I do not work for the state, thus, I am not whining! It's a known fact these people were getting pink slips regardless the outcome of the vote. Therefore, any post containing references to; "you voted for layoffs, deal with it"; "suck it up, you voted for it"; or, "you could have chosen furloughs vs layoffs", ARE COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT! These people had a choice of furloughs and pay cuts with layoffs, or layoffs with no paycuts. Why would they vote for a paycut AND layoffs? For anyone in the private sector that says, "the state is realing, they should take a paycut". When is the last time you offered to take a pay cut. The difference is the private sector doesn't have to make a choice. You want your job, take the pay cut. Government is different. You are given two choices and must choose the lesser of two evils. I am independent but and was unsure how to vote for the next Governor's term. His handling of this issue has made the decision for me. Threatning 750 jobs knowing full well it would be closer to 300 was the nail in the coffin for me.
Thurbs
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Thank God someone understands!
By drichard_nh301 - 10/27/2009 - 8:12 pmThurbs11 ~
Your clarity is refreshing and enlightening! For someone who does not work for the state, you have an honest point and made it so well. Everything you said is completely true! I can tell you firsthand that the union's negotiating team was always ready with well-thought-out-of-the-box proposals that Governor Lynch's team could have incorporated into the contract that would have saved the state over $75 million, but they refused proposal after proposal. There was no healthy back and forth dialogue after presentation of proposals - just a, "Thank you. We'll get back to you" from the state team. And so we waited and waited for a reply and had to ask a number of times before we received one. Each time it was "No, we cannot agree to that."
In other efforts of saving money, the state employees offered the state hundreds of ideas on how they could save money. Many of the suggestions were highly welcomed and some were brushed to the side. I'm not sure if many of them have been implemented as yet. But if DHHS thinks that replacing the paper towels and dispensers, and the toilet paper and dispensers is a way to save money, and the soap dispensers, then I'd like to know how and where! Then, with the Seashell stage being on the list of projects that appear to be necessary in Hampton Beach, don't we think the governor and executive council could have used that money for something much more important right now? Talk about wasteful spending!
Diana Richard
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I will say it for the last time....
By belmont66 - 10/27/2009 - 5:00 pm...promise?
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Getting water from a rock...
By thurbs11 - 10/27/2009 - 5:10 pm...is easier than getting through to you people.
Thurbs
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you state you are not going to say this again...
By belmont66 - 10/27/2009 - 7:48 pm...yet, you are whining. We simply want this to stop. We all work hard and are very aware of our self worth. The difference is many do not need a Union as a mouth piece since some people do not need to be defended from having a bad work ethic. These laws have since been on the books upwards of 30 years now.
My sympathy lies with the Precision Technology people, not you. You voted to have the layoffs. You can't say with absolute certainty "we were told one thing but he did something else" or words to that effect without considering the possibility that ratifying the contract would have eliminated any layoffs. You also cannot say for certainty if these layoffs are the only ones that are going to happen. If you are saying that the 300 jobs that were sacrificed were worth the furlough, then fine. That's your opinion. Suck it up and stop whining. Look around you. The world simply doesn't revolve around the state workers and those in the private sectors also face problems in which they have little control. Am I getting through to you now? No? Let me spell it out for you, then. We are concerned about ALL 57,000 employees out of work, not just you. We're tired of hearing about how only the state workers have been wronged and how they should be held to a higher standard than any other vocation known to man. Got to plan B!! Get a hobby!!! Move on!!!! You have nothing to get through to people anymore.
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Keep hiding
By drichard_nh301 - 10/27/2009 - 11:47 pmbelmont66
I'd like to know just to whom I am speaking. Will you continue to hide behind that nickname or print your real name? Perhaps we should have a face-to-face conversation sometime.
Diana Richard
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I'm sure you would...
By belmont66 - 10/28/2009 - 6:27 am...so you could harass me? No, I don't think so. You may not like my comments, but get the hint and stop the rant of the wronged poor state workers. It's old. If you are trying to taunt me into making my name public, be my guest. That may have worked about oh, never. If you folks are unable to "cope" with your lives then you need to have a face to face with someone who can help you. I am not qualified to do so.
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Unqualified? Absolutely!
By drichard_nh301 - 10/28/2009 - 9:14 pmActually, there is a real difference between ranting, whining and providing information. Obviously I know the difference and so have been providing information that may help the public to understand. However, please do not mistake my comments for not having empathy for the private sector folks who have been laid off or shut out of the company they worked for. The fact is, no matter how you look at it, there is a familiarity for both in the private and public sector. We all face the same challenges of no work, no pay, losses at every turn. And, regardless if this happens to the employee or the co-workers, it's still a loss and then a huge struggle afterwards. I don't envy anyone losing their job, no matter the time of year or how long they've dedicated their life to their employer. The rewards can be far and few between no matter.
As many of us have faced embarrassment, humility, and perhaps shame in having to resort to resources we never dreamed we'd ever have to apply to, it is a difficult choice to make. I know, I've been in low-paying jobs for many years. Every time I have to ask for help, I'd much rather crawl under a rock and disappear. However, I couldn't do that because I had children to raise and provide for. Now being at another low point in my life, I no longer have a vehicle and have to rely on others to cart me around. Being a single mother certainly has its ups and downs, and trust me, I know all about the downs more than the ups.
If I had my way, I'd make the world a better place. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. Nevertheless, despite all the downs I have lived through, I'm still optimistic that life will get better in some way. In fact, as long as I have the ambition to make my life and my children's lives as good as it can be, then I'm happy. Through all the physical pain I live with and all of life's challenges, I appreciate everything I have. How about you?
Diana Richard
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been there
By notsofast - 10/30/2009 - 6:56 pmI have also been there and appreciate everything that I have.
Until one encounters lay offs, welfare, and critical health problems; fighting to keep food on the table is something that only comes from strong and determined individuals who have a vision of improving lives for their family, friends, and the general public. NH political leaders have lost that connection. It's up to us, now.
Thanks for the reality check.
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Air Time
By Dick Pender - 10/26/2009 - 5:05 pmthis Guy says the same things over and over and over. He has been getting alot of air time, maybe he can do a reality show about why he did not cry when has buddies died next to him in Nam, but cried when he lost his job!!!
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Tax payers try to cope with dopes on the ropes
By C. dog e. doGy - 10/26/2009 - 8:25 amThese vignettes make interesting reading to those who work hard, then have Governor grubby paws and his cronies come along to confiscate their earnings/property to fund such critical public services as teaching criminals the proper technique for petting a kitty (For those interested, I teach this stuff for free up at my cabin on weekends), how to coddle a drunk so he may drive again, and playing janitor for only $55K/year.
Please keep telling us these stories, Monitor staff, you keep proving our point that profligate waste runs rampant at the Grate State barracks, and there are miles of cuts to go before they're done. I think we'll know when they're close to the bone when we see Staties actually start workin' up a sweat (that's beads of a water-like substance that forms on the surface of people's skin as a result of an extended effort doing something).
- C. dog prepares some milk and cookies for the budget hatcheteers
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No Industry Base
By 1wildindian - 10/25/2009 - 5:19 pmState workers laid off are only part of the overall picture. The shoe factories,
tanneries,pulp industry and the mills have all gone, which, used to drive the economy in New Hampshire. Until, that is fixed, nothing will get better.
An interim help could be realized by allowing casinos. One in Berlin, one on the
coast and two in the Lakes Region. When there is a bad snow year, people still
will be able to keep their heads above water. Mom and Pop stores can start up
again. It will help stabilize the banks. People will come! They come to the
NASCAR races and they spend money! Legislature! Pay attention! It is a win for
the people of this state! No more studies! We don't have time for that! Obama
just helped us with the infrastructure! Wake up and smell the coffee!
Then, after this is accomplished getting money into the state, rebuild our
sustaining industries. It was better in the sixties and seventies than it is now.
That's because of the legislative bodies sitting on their laurels too long! Then
maybe, just maybe, people will be getting hired instead of being laid off!
Get those flatlanders up here and help them empty their pockets into our coffers!
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Laid Off Two Times
By Elvis - 10/25/2009 - 5:13 pmI was let go back in July then recalled in September then Pink Slipped again last week. I have a couple interviews next week in the Private Sector. Listen I am going to tell you not to sit around and wait for the state to call you back. We now live in an era where state government is less reliable and even less secure than working for in Private Sector. So get the resume ready and pass it out to anything that is hiring. It's hard not to take it personal but you can't you have to get back up after being knocked down and wipes the tears from your face and keep on moving.
I know because I had to follow my own advice. When the warden gave me my notice it was only the 2nd time he has meet me. The first time was back in July to give me a pink slip. So working for the state you are literally just a number (this is what they go by for layoffs). I have been worrying about my job off and on since Feb. .The Warden seemed like a nice guy and didn't seem to enjoy giving me a pink slip but that's his job and management has to do it or they will be in our boat. No more I will find a Private Sector job and be happy to just have 40 hrs and some kind of insurance and time to spend with my family. After being let go once then twice you realize it's a HUMBLING EXPERIENCE and money not everything but family is. GOOD LUCK TO ALL STATE WORKERS WHO WERE LAID OFF I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK GOD BLESS.
Matt St James
state employee for a couple more days=)
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On our own
By notsofast - 10/25/2009 - 9:10 pmIt's too hard to accept the politicians decisions while letting friends, taxpayers, and neighbors get the shaft, let alone you.
Let me commend you for serving the true NH citizens who care about this state.
You have every right to provide for your family. Serving the people of this state is somehow not appreciated anymore. We are being blindsided by company CEO's who hire people to prove our reduction of worth. This enables others to simply accept the fact that you need leaders who insist the only way to get food on your table is to go along with what "I" expect of you. These people pay millions to make sure you believe you are worthless and should be happy for a paycheck.
With your dedication, someone in this state will be appreciative. I know I am.
This country has become a "look out for yourself" entity. The only ones who will win this fight are the ones with the most money and insisting they need more.
They have convinced the public that they don't deserve health care, they don't deserve protection, and they don't deserve to be treated like human beings.
God help us all, everyone. C. Dog is baking cookies for them, yyummm.
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More?
By djsteve321 - 10/25/2009 - 2:36 pmMore and more people are being laid off every day. Yet teachers throughout the state are still asking for more money. What about those who are without a job at all? Sounds a little greedy to me...
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Most teachers
By talkitout - 10/25/2009 - 6:24 pmTeach. You can't compare what they do to what state workers do. They teach our children. They are educating the future. Yea, we should skimp on their pay. Be real!
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More?
By djsteve321 - 10/25/2009 - 2:35 pmMore and more people are being laid off every day. Yet teachers all over the state are still asking for more money. How about those who are without a job right now? Sounds a little greedy.
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Dept of Corrections
By yarkking - 10/25/2009 - 1:02 pmEverbody is always saying that the COs have cushy jobs I woud like to see anyone of you work a chow hall alone with up to 200 inmates. Work a unit with 240 inmates with only 3 COs. The Correctional Officers earn every penny they make and make it safe for everyone
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OR
By Smiling Bob - 10/26/2009 - 11:21 amAs a Capt making sure they can drive a perimeter vechile around at time and a half.
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yeah yeah...
By kenstcyr - 10/25/2009 - 3:58 pmwe all got it tough. Work is work...no one said it was easy...if it was they'd call it play.
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Interesting Article
By docfactfinder - 10/25/2009 - 11:40 amHere is a question, why were there NO ADMINISTRATORS laid off from NHDOC headquarters? Could it be that those responsible for identifying the staff to be laid off were not going to lay off their coworkers? The people profiled in this article look like they were employees who worked directly with a very difficult population.
Does anyone see that these layoffs were more of the same old state practices and the real focus should have been on the huge amount of administrators making 80+k a year or more.
NHDOC has 100 VACANT positions as of Friday and did not decide to unfund those positions now did they?
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the politicians actually hired more "friends"
By glk.interests - 10/26/2009 - 8:46 amNot only were no administrators laid off, the politicians actually hired three more at $70,000+ with benefits and perks! Just another example of being hired because of who you know not what is necessary! 37 workers get pink slips and then 3 political appointees are hired gives you the range of costs with the useless political appointee being the ultra high waste in government.
What is really needed is to establish a priority list of essential core services before the next budget cycle. Then it could be determined what is necessary to keep and what should eliminated.
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What
By the irishman - 10/25/2009 - 9:28 amHey Ken StCyr kind of hitting the guy when he is down aint ya wise up!.
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not really...
By kenstcyr - 10/25/2009 - 9:52 amjust wondered how big of a problem that crack really is. I got land for sale right next to him. Looks like he might have some free time to watch the new house go in, and make sure no new cracks appear.
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bone head
By the irishman - 10/25/2009 - 10:17 amWhat the neighborly thing to do would be to go over and bury the hatchet between the two of you and hash out what to do next,but nooo you have to bring up past differences because he is in a vulnerable position right now. You are a true Yankee neighbor Kenny.
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Comment blocked by moderator
The post violates the Discussion Guidelines.
Jack Shimanoski
By kenstcyr - 10/25/2009 - 8:55 amJack was my neighbor in Loudon..He threatened to sue me because when I built my house and had my well drilled, he said it cracked his foundation. We lived about 1000 feet from each other. How's that crack Jack?
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Nice to see....
By DZ - 10/25/2009 - 8:44 amThat at least some of the layoffs went to the same people who voted for them. They are the ones who really need to find another shoulder to cry on.
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You Know
By the irishman - 10/25/2009 - 8:08 amMost of these people who worked for the state don't know what it is like out in the real world.For years they have been riding on the coat tails of the NH tax payers. Now that they have to fend for themselves the right hand does'nt know what the left hand is doing. All you have to do now is wait until all of your perk money runs out and get in line just like everybody else does on West St. . You people made your own bed and for being stubborn and not voting for the more obvious and better outcome you may sleep in it
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Laid Off
By Zulu2009 - 10/25/2009 - 8:08 amRita in Manchester -
Just read the article and comments. I too was stunned when I got my workforce reduction notice from the State. Do I believe it has been in the works for over a year? You bet! However, my philosophy of life is that things happpen for a reason, at times the reason is not always evident. A window opens as a door closes even though it is sometimes hell in the hallway. As a laid off State employee (RN), I served the people of the State in the best way I knew, I did make a difference in people's lives, just like many of the people in the article. But so do others in the private sector. I do hope to continue working in the pulblic sector in other areas open to me. Itime to move on. In a way I tdo agree with most of your readers. It IS time to move on, there will be no reprieve, none of us will be re-hired, and the public and private sector awaits. I am in my 50's and have to work just like anyone else. Fight the good fight, don't keep bitching and complaining about the State Administration or the Union. They were all voted into their respective positions by the citizens of the State. We, collectively voted them in. Did they do right, hey of course not,, who in politics ever really does. But I do agree,it is time to move onand move on with dignityandwith heads held high that indeed we (I) did make a difference,and can make a difference elsewhere.
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Who voted to strike? THEY DID!
By talkitout - 10/25/2009 - 7:49 amI have NO sympathy for these workers. With job losts being so much a part of our daily lives, they should have been happy to have jobs.
Stop complaining about the road YOU chose. You had a job. A great deal of people were not as fortunate as you.
End of Story!
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Voted to strike?
By VioceOfReason - 10/25/2009 - 9:19 amAs far as I was aware, public employees do not have the right to strike. No one voted to strike.
The State Employees Association gave it's members the choice between taking furloughs or accepting layoffs. They chose layoffs. It's a shame that the over 30% of state employees that choose NOT to belong to the association had no voice or vote in the matter.
Once again the arrogance of the people that run the association overran common sense and innocent people were caught in the crossfire. I wonder when they will run short of arrogance? Probably never. When will they put the welfare of employees before their own agenda? Again probably never.
I suppose it is too much to expect people who union people have refered to as sheeple to actually think for themselves and get some real representation.
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They can not strike without the majority okaying it.
By talkitout - 10/25/2009 - 6:30 pmSorry, I was in a Union. The SEA does not have the power to vote a strike without the people of the union voting to do that. They all had a say. So your comments are erroneous.
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no strike, period
By glk.interests - 10/26/2009 - 7:49 amPoliticians have their worker subjects so hamstrung that workers are not allowed to strike, period. There have been attempts to write a law to allow strikes, but each time the politicians saw "no". The politicians then pass laws that require a $25,000,000 cut in personnel costs, but do not seem to allow the true high cost of waste to be fired -- their buddies, political appointees (commissioners, assistants, and deputies, etc.).
The SEA (State Employees' Association) is not a union in the sense that other unions in the private sector are, membership is totally voluntary. Yes, non-members do pay a "fair share" fee towards their costs of negotiating a contract, but they are still not full (voting) members of the Association.
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Striking
By VioceOfReason - 10/26/2009 - 7:31 amJust to keep the record straight, it is flat out illegal for public employees to strike. No matter who votes for it. Try reading the collective bargaining law to get your facts straight.
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Once again - it was not a choice between layoffs and furloughs
By Gaia - 10/25/2009 - 4:00 pmIt was a choice between layoffs plus furloughs, or just plain layoffs. We were promised 250-300 layoffs even if we voted for furloughs.
So, we got the 250-300 promised layoffs, and no furloughs.
We were clearly told that voting yes for the contract would not save those 250-300 jobs.
Of course, hindsight is always 20/20. If we had been told the "real" numbers up front, instead of being bullied with the figure of 750 layoffs (in addition to the 250), we would have a contract right now, with furloughs and no layoffs.
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correct - it was not a choice between layoffs and furloughs
By VioceOfReason - 10/26/2009 - 7:38 amYou are absolutely correct. It was not a choice between layoffs or furloughs. And it will not be a choice between layoffs and furloughs when the state loses the suit over the medical malpractice fund. And it will not be a choice between layoffs and furloughs when the next budget cycle rolls around and the legislature has to try and balance another budget with no more easy "one time savings" opportunities.
I certainly hope no one is breathing any sighs of relief because the state is far from out of the woods. There are even tougher times ahead and to quote Mr T in Rocky II, all I see ahead is "pain"
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oh my
By proudmom - 10/25/2009 - 7:46 amYou know I feel really horrible for all these people whom have lost their jobs. However, what makes the people who worked for the state any different than others who have lost their job. There is a big deal being made about state workers. Who was there for all the other places that have closed down. Business have had to lay people off everywhere. Get over it and Concord monitor please stop focusing just on state workers please.
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unfortunately, the wrong people were sacrificed
By glk.interests - 10/26/2009 - 7:54 amUnfortunately, the wrong people were sacrificed being that the real waste in government was not told to leave. Those are the overly well paid and grossly under-worked political appointees. Additionally, after the workers were let go, the government hired a significant number more of the high-end waste!
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Good luck to all of them,
By nh yankee - 10/25/2009 - 7:33 amGood luck to all of them, but I doubt I will need or miss them in my life.
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Agree As well
By Ebert Clackson - 10/25/2009 - 6:49 amI have to say without reservation that I agree with Mr. Pender and the Blue Pawn on this matter. Way to much ink and air time has been wasted on this story. It is time to move on. They only have themselves to blame. They acutally fired themseleves and each other. When will they figure this out. And that gentleman who said he saw his buddies blow up next to him and did not cry? I have to really question that statement. I was in Viet Nam myself and I cried everyday and night that I was there, sorry but that statement does not hold any water with me.. How can he make such a statement, does not cry when his buddies died but cried when he lost his job!!! Nope, something is not really right here.
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Agree, Enough Already!
By Blue Pawn - 10/25/2009 - 6:12 amThe whole SEA-State thing has taken an inordinate amount of print and time on the CM and media outlets. Move on. Employment isn't guaranteed for life anywhere. The contract stunk and state workers chose to 'evergreen'; stay with the old contract. There were going to be layoffs anyway and will probably be more, due to the loss of the $110,000,000 malpractice fund. Find some real news to report, PLEASE!
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Enough Already Please!
By Dick Pender - 10/25/2009 - 4:23 amI hope the Concord Monitor can do an article just as detailed about the Private Sector people who have been laid off for over a year. Why this sob story for the State workers who have been laid off? Please! No more stories of these Ex-State Employees. It is reported that we have at least 56,000 people out of work right now. If you do the math the Ex-State Employee only represents .003 percent of the total number out of work. It is horrible when a person loses a job in either sector, but at least these people had a chance to save their job and they did not. I know this is harsh but it is what it is. Did anyone forget that Precison Technology in Pembroke closed down without warning and put over 150 on the street!! I did not read about those people giving up and doing a woe is me kind of thing!! They took it hard but all of them knew what they had to do, they had to look and find jobs. They were not as lucky as the State people with all kinds of sick time and vacation time and other time they will be paid for. The private sector does not have those perks as to the extent the state has.
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Wow...
By belmont66 - 10/25/2009 - 7:08 am...the private sector doesn't understand the emotional toll layoffs can cause? I'm sorry that incarcerated woman cannot be taught how to take care of kittens anymore or that MULTIPLE OFFENDERS of drunk driving/substance abuse are in a bind as to what they are going to do about getting treatment and/or education....again.
People feel bad for anyone who loses their livelihood (and that's especially true when you lose your job 50 and older), no matter what kind of service is provided. But we really need to let this go. I personally have "compassion fatigue" at this point and I'm sure there are others that may feel the same way. I wish anybody laid off a lot of luck.
But CM, these articles are not really helping state workers as the public sympathy-o-meter has pretty much grinded to a halt. Give this subject a breather.
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Well Said
By Dick Pender - 10/25/2009 - 7:24 amWell Said, Very Well Said.. As you have stated it is time to move on. I have to agree the more you read about what jobs they were doing, the more you have to realize that some of these jobs really did not make much sense to the common taxpayers as to why some of these jobs existed in the 1st place.
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