NJFFSA16
11-14-2003, 04:23 AM
CLEVELAND (AP) - The financially hard-pressed city is
considering laying off more than 700 uniformed employees in the
police, firefighter and ambulance crew ranks, a top official said.
Safety Director James Draper told union leaders Wednesday he has
recommended to Mayor Jane Campbell that 415 police officers, 235
firefighters and 52 EMS workers be laid off.
Draper and other Cleveland officials are trying to plug a
projected deficit for next year that has grown to about $65
million.
Campbell believes the job-cut figures are too high, according to
her spokeswoman.
"They're too extreme for her," said Lorna Wisham. "She's
concerned about balancing the budget but we need to go back over
the numbers. These numbers have not been finalized."
Campbell will announce her budget-cutting plans, including the
number of jobs she will eliminate, to City Council later this
month.
Union leaders have warned for weeks that significant job cuts
could lengthen response times and endanger lives. The city now has
about 1,820 police officers, 1,000 firefighters and 300 EMS
workers.
Bob Fisher, head of the firefighters union, said he was shocked
by the numbers. "These layoffs will devastate the department," he
said.
Other city departments also are likely to face cuts. But the
safety forces represent nearly 60 percent of Cleveland's $500
million general fund.
Police union leader Bob Beck laid the responsibility on
Campbell. "I don't think this administration can handle this
budget," he said.
Councilman Zachary Reed, chairman of City Council's Public
Safety Committee, said layoffs of the magnitude mentioned by Draper
would hurt response times.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
considering laying off more than 700 uniformed employees in the
police, firefighter and ambulance crew ranks, a top official said.
Safety Director James Draper told union leaders Wednesday he has
recommended to Mayor Jane Campbell that 415 police officers, 235
firefighters and 52 EMS workers be laid off.
Draper and other Cleveland officials are trying to plug a
projected deficit for next year that has grown to about $65
million.
Campbell believes the job-cut figures are too high, according to
her spokeswoman.
"They're too extreme for her," said Lorna Wisham. "She's
concerned about balancing the budget but we need to go back over
the numbers. These numbers have not been finalized."
Campbell will announce her budget-cutting plans, including the
number of jobs she will eliminate, to City Council later this
month.
Union leaders have warned for weeks that significant job cuts
could lengthen response times and endanger lives. The city now has
about 1,820 police officers, 1,000 firefighters and 300 EMS
workers.
Bob Fisher, head of the firefighters union, said he was shocked
by the numbers. "These layoffs will devastate the department," he
said.
Other city departments also are likely to face cuts. But the
safety forces represent nearly 60 percent of Cleveland's $500
million general fund.
Police union leader Bob Beck laid the responsibility on
Campbell. "I don't think this administration can handle this
budget," he said.
Councilman Zachary Reed, chairman of City Council's Public
Safety Committee, said layoffs of the magnitude mentioned by Draper
would hurt response times.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)