Monday, March 6, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds Labor Commission’s $78,000 Savings
JEFFERSON CITY–Following Gov. Matt Blunt’s lead to reduce government waste and improve efficiencies, the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission recently combined duties and changed work processes leading to a $78,151 cost savings for taxpayers.
“I commend the Labor Commission for answering my call to become better stewards of the taxpayer’s dollars,” Blunt said. “They have shown through better management that more efficient services can be provided with fewer resources.”
The cost savings began when the Labor Commission assumed public employee bargaining duties previously handled by the State Board of Mediation. The consolidation of these two agencies led to an immediate cost savings of $64,751.
After assuming the public employee bargaining duties, the Commission realized it could save additional money by conducting preliminary conferences between parties by telephone, rather than in-person. Since July 2005, the commission has saved $1,400.
The Labor Commission also decreased its travel expenditures by holding oral arguments in Jefferson City, rather than traveling around the state to hear parties present their side in workers compensation and unemployment insurance cases. The reduction in travel is expected to save an additional $12,000 this year.
“Internal changes have resulted in significant cost savings for taxpayers, without affecting the level of service we provide to our customers,” William Ringer said, chairman of the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission. “While the Commission is a small agency, we will continue to look for other methods to improve efficiencies and provide better service.”
For more information contact Tammy Cavender at the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee at (573) 751-7500.
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