COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is asking city employees from five city unions, including police and firefighters to give up their pay raises for 2009.
In a letter to unions on Wednesday, Coleman detailed his need to cut $13 million in order to balance the city's budget. He said it's the only way he can avoid more layoffs and service cuts.
In addition to pay raises, the mayor is asking employees to give up their service credit pay for the numbers of years they've worked for the city.
Fraternal Order of Police Jim Gilbert said the mayor's request is unacceptable.
"He wants us to reply to him within the next nine days. The contract team, we are currently in negotiations with the city negotiating our next contract. We've been at the table several months now with the city and now the mayor is calling for immediate action and this is completely unacceptable with how we have negotiated in the past with the city," Gilbert said.
Coleman said the only way he can avoid more layoffs and service cuts is to have employees sacrifice salaries.
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