State workers in Louisiana are being laid off at unprecedented numbers, according to a report released by the Civil Service Commission on Thursday. Nearly twice as many state employees were let go in the past fiscal year compared to the previous four due mostly to the administration's decision to privatize the state's charity hospital system. The administration of Gov....
State workers in Louisiana are being laid off at unprecedented numbers, according to a report released by the Civil Service Commission on Thursday. Nearly twice as many state employees were let go in the past fiscal year compared to the previous four due mostly to the administration's decision to privatize the state's charity hospital system.
The administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal oversaw the laying off of 3,805 state workers -- of a total 6,270 total positions targeted -- during the fiscal year that ended June 30, more than the last previous four years of layoffs combined.
In total, 6,005 state workers have been let go since mid-2008. Over 10,000 state jobs were targeted for layoff during that time but the actual number of layoffs was much lower because some of these positions were already vacant or the employee in the job left prior to the layoff period.
State employee layoffs since 2008, according to a report released Thursday by the Civil Service Commission.The greatest number of layoffs took place as a result of the privatization of LSU's hospitals in the southeast.
Just over 3,800 state employees were let go as a result of the move, but the administration has stated that just under 86 percent of the laid off workers have been offered, and have secured, positions at the new private organizations overseeing the hospitals.
"Today's Civil Service report is consistent with our efforts to chart a path that expands economic opportunities for our people while reducing government's footprint," said Sean Lansing, press secretary to the governor.
"In addition to shrinking the size and cost of state government, we are making government more effective and efficient by consolidating functions and applying smarter technologies that save taxpayer dollars. Our work is paying off. Louisiana is among the top 10 states for private sector job growth since 2008."
The largest layoff came at Interim LSU Public Hospital in New Orleans with 1,690 workers let go this year. Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma, University Medical Center-Lafayette and Earl K. Long in Baton Rouge rounded out the top four with 556, 487 and 484 layoffs.
The next highest layoffs came at support and services centers for the disabled communities in Hammond and Bossier City, also due to privatization. Correctional facilities also experienced layoffs.
See the full report below.
Louisiana Civil Service Commission - June 2013 State Employee Layoff Report