Ytown schools' offers early-retirement buyouts to AFSCME

YOUNGSTOWN — An agreement similar to the early-retirement deal offered to Youngstown school teachers will be awarded to 16 other district employees.

School board members approved an incentive package for its American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1143 on Tuesday, providing 50 percent of the employee’s annual salary in return for his or her resignation.

That payment will be in addition to any and all severance payments as provided in the current AFSCME contract.

The buyouts are the result of a formal directive from a state fiscal oversight commission to cut 153 jobs next year at a savings estimated at $8.5 million.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.