Buyout plan might prevent police layoffs

YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams and the president of the ranking police officers union say the details of an early retirement buyout plan could be finalized by Friday and would reduce the number of city employees losing their jobs.

After the deal is ironed out, Williams said he and his administration will discuss a buyout program with the police patrol officers union that, combined with the ranking officers agreement, would minimize layoffs or possibly avoid the need for any job cuts.

Williams met today and last Friday with Det. Sgt. Charles Guzzy, president of the Youngstown Police Ranking Officers, the union representing the department’s sergeants, detective sergeants, lieutenants and captains. They’ll meet again on Friday.

“Things are productive and I’m cautiously optimistic,” Williams said. “We are making progress. Nothing’s been reached yet, but we hope to have something to agree on Friday. I’m confident we’ll reach something that will be beneficial.”

Guzzy said both sides have the same goal: avoiding layoffs.

The city’s 2009 general fund budget included $860,000 in personnel cuts, most of it from the police department. That means up to 34 city workers, including 22 to 26 police officers, losing their jobs.

If a deal is reached with the ranking officers union, Williams said negotiations on an early retirement buyout would commence with the Youngstown Police Association, which represents patrol officers.

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