Workers employed by the city of New Haven are bracing for layoffs after a majority of the city's unions have failed to reach agreements on concessions.
City officials say they are preparing to cut 241 jobs, of which 166 are currently filled. The planned cuts are needed to balance the city's 2009-2010 budget, said Lawrence Rusconi, the city's director of management and budget.
"The business downturn has affected every single government and business in a manner that's never been experienced in any of our lifetimes," said Rusconi, during a news conference at City Hall.
The city asked its 14 unions to make about $10 million in concessions by trimming salaries and making other cuts. By Thursday morning, only the unions representing public works employees and parks employees had reached agreements with the city, according to city officials.
The supervisors union offered to make about $700,000 in cuts, according to President Larry Amendola. He says the city is pushing for $900,000 in cuts from the union, and turned down the offer. "We are willing but he wants the whole pie. We can't give him the whole pie," said Amendola.
The city plans to finalize its budget by February 26, leaving some time for additional negotiations with the unions. Layoff notices will go out to city workers February 27 for cuts that will take effect immediately, said city officials. Workers with the school district will be notified April 1 for cuts that take effect at the end of the school year.
Besides the union concessions, Mayor John DeStefano has agreed to a three percent pay cut and executive management has not had a raise for 18 months, said city officials.
