Crime & Safety
Update: Police Unions Not Informed of Layoffs
Union leaders met in City Hall today, but city never mentioned layoffs
Vince Lombardi, police patrol union (PBA) president, said the city brought in the leadership of both unions today, but never discussed layoffs, while releasing a press release shortly after union reps left the building.
City spokesman Juan Melli said the city notified the unions' lawyers and police Chief Anthony Falco.
"This is the lowest of the low," Lombardi said of the city's lack of face-to-face communication to the police representatives, Lombardi called the move "underhanded."
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"They call us in and then they're issuing [expletive] press conferences," Lombardi said. "Not one mention of layoffs."
Mayor Dawn Zimmer will unveil a municipal layoff plan today at 2 p.m. that calls for 36 layoffs and 19 demotions, according to a city press release.
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The police force will be reduced by 18 after the demotion of 19 superior officers. The move is intended to increase foot patrols while reducing what has been found to be a top-heavy department by a state auditor.
Another 18 municipal employees will be laid off in unspecified positions.
More on the layoffs and demotions after Zimmer's 2 p.m. press conference.
