------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the March 13, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
NEW YORK: BILLIONAIRE MAYOR THREATENS LAYOFFS By G. Dunkel New York Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg is demanding that city unions give up $600 million in give-backs--about $2,400 per employee. Lillian Roberts, executive director of AFSCME District Council 37--which represents 125,000 workers--said, "Our members are low paid, they average $29,000 a year, and these cuts would be a real sacrifice for them." Bloomberg has threatened 12,000 layoffs if the unions don't surrender. In addition, the city will not bargain a new contract with any union that doesn't agree to these concessions on pensions, health-care and working hours. Facing mounting opposition from the municipal unions, the Bloomberg administration is trying to buy time. It announced Feb. 28 that it was agreeable to setting up joint labor-management committees to consider alternatives. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
