Facing deficit, trustees to discuss layoffs

BOARDMAN — Trustees’ calls for higher health care contributions and lower wages from employees doesn’t sit well with union leaders who believe unions are being blamed for financial problems caused by township leadership.

“It’s their duty to negotiate,” said Harry Wolfe, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1176. “It’s their duty to provide services to the community.”

The township’s financial situation isn’t the fault of employees, he said.

Trustees meet in special session at 6 p.m. today at the township government center and are expected to make decisions about how many people will be laid off and from what departments. The township is facing a $3.4 million deficit by the end of this year. Voters rejected a 4.1-mill levy on last November’s general election ballot that would have generated about $4 million annually for general operating expenses.

At meetings last week, trustees suggested that if employees paid more for health care and/or accepted wage cuts, they could possibly avoid or reduce layoffs.

Read more in Wednesday’s Vindicator and at Vindy.com