A labor union that represents the city of Columbia’s snowplow drivers, bus drivers and garbage collectors says the city paid at least $5.1 million in outsourcing and overtime in fiscal year 2024.
LiUNA Local 955 union representative and organizing director Andrew Hutchinson tells 939 the Eagle that the city of Columbia has a spending problem, not a revenue problem:
“What we found is that for that bargaining unit, the workers, total labor and benefit cost is about $14-million. We spend almost an additional $6-million, and we think that’s a conservative estimate, on paying outside contractors to do that work that we could be doing in-house,” Hutchinson says.
Mr. Hutchinson says the city spent about $500,000 on temporary workers in Solid Waste in FY 2024 because they cannot maintain staff. Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen says the city is facing declining sales tax revenue. She tells 939 the Eagle that specialized tasks like major engine work and hazardous tree removal often require third party expertise or would otherwise divert staff from essential operations.
The influential LiUNA Local 955 is calling on Columbia’s city council to prioritize city workers by insourcing rather than outsourcing. Mr. Hutchinson says the latest city offer for his members in a one percent pay raise:
“You could cut outsourcing by a minimal amount and be able to pay for almost ten percent raises for our entire bargaining unit,” he says.
Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen tells 939 the Eagle that employees are central to the city’s work, noting $10-million in raises last year. She also says 70 percent of the city’s $138-million general fund is allocated to personnel.
Mechanic Scotty Johnson, the chief steward at the city, is part of LiUNA Local 955. Mr. Johnson tells 939 the Eagle that the department he works is Fleet Operations:
“They spent $2-million outsourced fleet operations last year. If you divide that by averaging paying shops $150 an hour and you divide it by 2,080 working hours, you’d be able to pay six-and-a-half mechanics at $150 for a full year,” Mr. Johnson says.
He says if they made $50 an hour (noting they don’t), the city could add 20 mechanics. Here is the full statement from Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen to LiUNA’s call:
“The City is committed to delivering high-quality services while maintaining long-term fiscal stability. Our employees are central to this work, and we’ve demonstrated that commitment through significant investments – including a recent classification and compensation study that resulted in a $10 million commitment to ensure our pay ranges lead the market. Of the City’s general fund estimated at $138 million, more than 70% is allocated to personnel. As a service organization, people are our most important and valued asset.
However, as we face declining sales tax revenue, this requires a careful look at our budget capacity. Balancing service demands with staffing and financial constraints requires strategic decisions, including outsourcing where appropriate. Specialized tasks – like autobody repairs, major engine work and hazardous tree removal – often require third-party expertise or would otherwise divert staff from essential operations.
In areas like security at transit facilities or facility maintenance, outsourcing ensures work is completed safely and professionally, as City staff are not equipped for those roles. Jobs like tuckpointing, roofing, electrical service repairs and similar types of work all are outsourced as it is more fiscally responsible than purchasing expensive equipment and hiring employees that are needed on a more limited basis. At the same time, the City’s Fleet Operations continues to manage complex, specialized repairs in-house when applicable – such as fire trucks, street sweepers and waste collection vehicles. This approach allows us to use our workforce where it’s most effective while maintaining the high standard of service our community expects.”
