‘Productive’ talks continue with Youngstown union officials

YOUNGSTOWN —While discussions with employee union officials haven’t led to definitive solutions to the city’s financial problems, Mayor Jay Williams said talks are “productive.”

Because of that, Williams said today he plans to give union leaders until mid-May, and possibly later, to find ways to significantly cut spending, including salary and benefit concessions, to avoid or reduce layoffs.

Williams had originally given the union until May 1 to come up with proposals.

Williams and leaders of the city’s eight unions are discussing what can be done about Youngstown’s finances. The city projects a deficit in its general fund of more than $3 million by Dec. 31 if cuts aren’t made.

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