CONSOLIDATION OF JOB DUTIES WILL SAVE THE CITY AN ESTIMATED $225,000 ANNUALLY
June 4, 2009 - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Finance Control Board Executive Director Stephen P. Lisauskas announced today the name of the individual chosen to become the City’s new Director of Labor Relations and Human Resources Director. Attorney William E. Mahoney of Ludlow, Massachusetts has been chosen to fill the position vacated by outgoing Personnel Director Marilyn Montagna and to perform the duties of the newly created position of Labor Relations Director. Mahoney is currently employed as the Director of Human Resources for the Town of Enfield, Connecticut.
Mahoney possesses 20 years of combined employment, workers compensation, employee and labor relations, and negotiation and arbitration experience. His previous employment experience includes serving as Adjunct Faculty at Western New England College (January 2006 – May 2006), American International College (August 1993 – December 2005), and Springfield Technical Community College (September 1989 – May 1993). Mahoney also served as General Counsel for the National Association of Government Employees in Springfield, Massachusetts from September 1988 until December 1995, where he was responsible for collective bargaining and employee representations with various municipalities in Western Massachusetts and Maine regularly representing employees in workers compensation, civil service, and MCAD cases.
As Director of Labor Relations and Human Resources Mahoney will supervise, manage and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the departments of human resources and labor relations. He will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the City’s labor management activities, including negotiations of contracts and formulating and administering policies for departmental managers. Mahoney will report to the Mayor and the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer and will oversee and coordinate all strategies, negotiations and settlements regarding collective bargaining, grievance/arbitration, employee discipline, and all matters related to the promotion and maintenance of a harmonious labor-management relationship.
In addition to his professional work experience, Mahoney served on the Ludlow Board of Selectmen (March 1998 – March 2004) and on the Ludlow Planning Board (December 1993 – March 1998). He served on the Cathedral High School Executive Board of Trustees (October 1998 – June 2003), and serves as a Community Mediator for Dispute Resolution Services, Inc., (September 1988 – present), and on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Joint Labor Management Committee for Police and Fire (2002 – present).
Mahoney holds a Bachelors Degree in Governmental Studies from Western New England College and earned his law degree from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., state bars.
From 2005 through 2008 the City and the Finance Control Board spent $1,822,326.90 on outside labor counsel. The City estimates an annual insurance benefits savings of approximately $10,000 and a salary savings of $76,000 per year through the consolidation of these two positions. City officials estimate a total annual savings of approximately $225,000 from the creation of an internal labor relations director position with consolidated human resources director duties.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated “It’s great to have a talented and multifaceted professional to not only handle labor relations but also to work with our dedicated individuals currently in our City’s Personnel Department.” “The creation of the new labor relations position is extremely cost effective and creates a significant cost savings for our City and I look upon this as an enhancement as the City continues to move towards a business model,” stated Sarno.
Finance Control Board Executive Director Stephen P. Lisauskas stated “This represents another important step forward for the City of Springfield.” “Bill’s unique skills and professional experience make him a huge asset as we continue to improve the quality and reduce the cost of government to the taxpayers,” stated Lisauskas.
Mahoney will begin his employment with the City on July 6, 2009. He will earn an annual salary of $134,000.
