Buyout deal progress delays city layoff notices

YOUNGSTOWN — All city workers who were to receive layoff notices Wednesday received a reprieve of about two weeks as the administration works on a early retirement buyout deal with the union that represents its ranking police officers.

“We’ve had some progress that may positively impact our numbers,” Mayor Jay Williams said today. “We hope these discussions will allow us to reduce the layoff numbers. We’re having conversations with the brass and we’ll make an offer to the patrol union.”

Officials with the Youngstown Police Ranking Officers, the unions that represent the department’s sergeants, detective sergeants, lieutenants and captains, couldn’t be reached today to comment.

Edward Colon, president of the Youngstown Police Association, which represents patrol officers, said his membership is interested in a buyout program.

The union has asked the city in the past, including a few weeks ago, to offer one, he said.

The city’s 2009 general fund budget, approved March 30 by city council, calls for $860,000 in personnel cuts, most of it from the police department.

That could mean up to 34 city workers, including 22 to 26 police officers, losing their jobs.

If the buyout proposal is accepted, that number would be reduced, Williams said.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com