NJ Government Downsizing

From the Star Ledger:

Newark considering pink slips for 800

Up to 20 percent of Newark's municipal work force could be laid off due to a "savage structural deficit" in the city's budget, Mayor Cory Booker said.

"There are going to have to be major personnel reductions," Booker said yesterday after a 9/11 memorial service. "We are reviewing every way to recoup money and stop waste. At the end of the day, we have to spend less money, and that's personnel."

Booker said 10 to 20 percent of the city's 4,000-person work force -- between 400 and 800 employees -- could lose their jobs, but a final number won't be determined until several forensic audits are completed and the city embarks on its 2007 budget process.
...
With the 425 layoffs announced by the Newark Housing Authority two weeks ago, the potential for 1,200 layoffs at two of the largest employers of city residents has union leaders concerned.

"This is the middle class in this city. It provides jobs and decent wages and it's about to be hit again," said Rahaman Muhammad, president of Service Employees International Union Local 617. The union represents 600 city sanitation workers, crossing guards and 911 operators.
...
"The union's position is that layoffs would not be reasonable," said Mike James, president of Newark Council 21, the union that represents the city's white-collar workers.