Toledo officials distribute layoff notices to more than 300

4/17/2009
BLADE STAFF

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner on Friday afternoon announced that layoff notices are being distributed for more than 300 city workers.

Saying "these are not steps I wish to take, but they are nonetheless necessary to balance the City of Toledo s budget," the mayor said the layoffs could be reduced is action is taken by City Council to increase revenue, and all unions grant concessions.

The city is facing a more than $20 million budget deficit.

The layoffs include 142 general fund employees, which are all non-safety employees, to be effective May 15, 2009.

It also includes 75 police officers in addition to the 75 previously notified, effective May 1, 2009. In addition, the city is planning to lay off 17 police civilians, effective May 15, 2009, and six fire command officers will be reassigned to line duty, effective immediately.

Effective the week of May 4, all general fund executive exempt employees will begin a 32-hour workweek, which amounts to a 20 percent pay cut. Many City of Toledo departments also will have a Monday-Thursday operating schedule, with the exception of public safety, refuse, and public utilities.

"The layoffs can be significantly reduced. I am again respectfully appealing to our union leaders and City Council to join with us in reducing the number of layoffs through revenue enhancements and across-the-board payroll reductions," the mayor said in a prepared statement.