“This next step would most likely rely heavily on additional headcount reductions, whether through attrition, or, as is more likely, through layoffs.” Page
Published 23:43, April the 8th, 2009
Mayor looks to cut 7,000
Trimming again, Bloomberg blames Albany, unions for budget crisis
Mayor Bloomberg is threatening to lay off 7,000 city employees next year, blaming Albany and municipal unions for not helping the city close its $1.6 billion budget gap.
Budget director Mark Page sent a letter to agency heads Wednesday to trim budgets again by July 1, slashing $350 million, on top of a previous cut of $3.1 billion.
“This next step would most likely rely heavily on additional headcount reductions, whether through attrition, or, as is more likely, through layoffs,” he wrote.
Bloomberg did not address the layoffs at a press event Wednesday announcing a $2 million federal tree-planting grant that may create 20 new jobs over the next two years. Bloomberg’s proposed budget already cuts 1,300 jobs.
Lillian Roberts of municipal union DC 37 accused the mayor of “union busting,” in light of the city’s spending of $9 billion for private contractors “to do the work city employees can and want to do.” She claimed union proposals have gone unanswered.
The mayor has asked for labor concessions such as having workers help pay for health care. He also wants Albany to approve $1 billion in new revenue for the city.
Most agencies are to carve 4 percent from their budgets, but not all: Education will cut 1.4 percent, and police, fire, and sanitation are to each shave 0.5 percent from their budgets.
