City shifts onus to unions

Having adopted a $6.7 billion budget for next year, City Council members said Tuesday it is up to Los Angeles' labor unions to determine the scope of any layoffs and furloughs for municipal workers.Daily News.

The budget adopted Monday stipulates the layoffs of up to 761 workers - with the possibility of 1,000 more if revenue slides - plus 16 to 26 unpaid furlough days, beginning July1.

But council members and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made it clear that the unions can avert many of the layoffs and furloughs if they are willing to make $110 million in contract concessions.