Difficult economic times are forcing the public sector to make adjustments to benefit levels to rein in increasing costs.  However, these action have consequences on employee morale and the ability to recruit and maintain a qualified public workforce.

During the conference session “The New World of Public Employees,” State Comptroller Nancy Kopp, Frederick County administrator David Dunn, and AFSCME Council 67 Executive Director Glen Middleton shared their perspectives on the need to balance personnel costs and recruit and maintain a qualified workforce.  Speakers discussed actions already taken to reduce costs such as furloughs, hiring freezes, and benefit reductions; how labor and management can work together to reduce costs and create efficiencies; and the importance of a public workforce.