Time extended to solve crunch

By David Skolnick

City council will vote today on a three-year contract with water workers.

YOUNGSTOWN — Though 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 Tuesday 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.

There are some union officials whom Williams called “hardliners.”

“They said, ‘This the way it’s been, and it’s going to stay that way. We’re not giving anything up,’” Williams said. “Layoffs won’t affect them, so they don’t care.”

But there are others, whom Williams called “moderates,” willing to discuss concessions.

Some of the “moderates” are newer employees who are willing to accept cuts in order to keep their jobs.

City administrators say about 60 jobs need to be eliminated — or the financial equivalent, $3.9 million in salary and benefits — to balance the general fund budget.

City council meets today to consider a contract for water department workers that calls for pay increases of 8.7 percent over three years.

The city administration will give a recommendation to council before the vote.

Under normal financial conditions, the contract would be considered reasonable, city officials say.

But with the budget issues, these aren’t normal financial conditions, they add.

skolnick@vindy.com