Youngstown city union leader balks at pay-cut suggestion

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Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams

YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams is “jumping the gun” by asking most city employees to voluntarily cut their salaries by 10 percent, to avoid layoffs, says the vice chairman of a committee consisting of officials from the city’s labor unions.

“The unions are willing to do whatever it takes to help the city and the citizens,” said Edward Colon, president of the city’s 116-member police patrol officers union and vice chairman of the Solidarity Group, which includes officials from all of the city employees’ unions. “We understand the economic plight we’re in. But we want the mayor to takes in all factors before calling for salary cuts and/or layoffs.

The city is facing a projected $3.39 million deficit in this year’s general fund. Because more than 80 percent of the general fund’s costs go to salaries and benefits, that’s where the biggest cut must come from, Williams said.

Having a 36-hour work week for most of the city’s 850 employees would reduce the cost of those salaries by 10 percent, Williams said. That would probably eliminate the deficit, and keep people working without cutting or reducing their health care benefits, he said.

Without the work-week reduction, the city’s worst-case scenario is laying off 60 employees with about half of them being the least senior police officers.

“God help us if [Williams] thinks he can lay off 30 police officers and the city can function,” Colon said. “To lay off 30 officers is insane.”

In response, Williams said, “Our goal is not to lose a single officer. However, if the unfortunate situation becomes inevitable, we will work that there be no reduction in the number of officers patrolling the streets of Youngstown. That message will be loud and clear to everyone involved: citizens, criminals, would-be criminals, and employees alike.”

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