Mahoning sheriff proposes laying off as many as 14 ranking officers Dec. 26

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Sheriff Randall A. Wellington has notified the Fraternal Order of Police that he may be laying off ranking officers in his department, effective the day after Christmas, due to an expected cut in next year’s budget.

The layoffs would be in the FOP’s 28-member gold unit, which includes sergeants, lieutenants and captains.

The sheriff notified the FOP today to allow 24 days before the Dec. 12 issuance of layoff notices. During the 24 days, the union and management can meet to discuss the impact of the layoffs and alternatives to them, the notice said.

Under the FOP contract, any layoffs require two weeks’ advance notice to those being furloughed.

The letter notifying the FOP does not specify the number of layoffs being contemplated, but Wellington said that he may be able to reduce or eliminate layoffs if the gold unit makes concessions.

Charles Wilson, FOP senior staff representative, said the sheriff proposed 14 gold-unit layoffs at a bargaining session two weeks ago.

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