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Layoffs loom in City of SpokaneAS THE CITY OF SPOKANE faces a $10 million shortfall for its 2011 budget, preliminary indications are that Local 270, which represents City workers, will lose 10 positions next year, says Council 2 Staff Representative Mike Smith.But, he adds, negotiations lie ahead and “we are not sure whether it will work out that way.” The prospect of layoffs means that 2011 might prove to be a worse year for Local 270 than this year, which has seen cutbacks and furloughs, but no layoffs so far. The reason: The city’s budget deficit for next year is projected to be about $10 million and comes on the heels of a shortfall of $7.5 million for this year. Closing the gap, says Mayor Mary Verner, is a “daunting task.” She adds, “We continue to face depressed collections of sales tax and real estate excise tax. Lowered utility rates have impacted our revenue and new construction remains low, impacting our property tax.” Among the targeted reductions are converting City Hall to a 4/10 work schedule, reductions at the Spokane Public Library, freezing pay for senior staff, and no increase in pay for deputies who fill in for managers. The City also plans to save $1 million through reducing employee medical benefit plans. “We are in ongoing discussions with the City of Spokane to try to mitigate the shortfall,” Smith adds. Saunders elected AFSCME secretary-treasurerLEE SAUNDERS is the new International Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO. He was elected during the closing session of the union's 39th Biennial Convention in Boston. He replaces Bill Lucy who resigned from the post after 38 years in office. Saunders told the delegates that solidarity is all about “standing up for the dignity of all work and all working people.” He pledged to work for AFSCME members and workers across the country, saying “throughout our history, this has been what we do. We come together in support of those whose names may never be known, but whose work safeguards neighborhoods and strengthens communities.”
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