Mayor Slams Water Utility Layoffs: 'Put People First'

0:00In Birmingham, it's March 21st, here's what is happening. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is calling out the city's water utility for recent layoffs. He argues that as a public organization, it must put employees and working class families first in all decisions. Woodfin shared a personal encounter with one laid off worker. He describes seeing real fear in her eyes over how she and her husband would support their family. The mayor emphasized the human side of these cuts. He believes the utility failed to think through the pain for workers and the ripple effects on everyday customers. Woodfin slammed the way the layoffs were carried out. He questioned who the water works, answers to, and warned that losing key staff could hurt daily water management and safety checks. These comments highlight growing pressure on public utilities to stay accountable and protect the people they serve.