Catherwood LibraryILR School

The normally unified LA city government experienced some unusual tension this week when the city council ignored the suggestion of Mayor Villaraigosa to continue negotiations with unions and instead authorized a budget that demands up to a 5% in decrease in the city workforce. A City Council official said they hope to continue negotiations with unions for as few layoffs as possible, but felt that the budget was the best the city could do, and ought to be passed. The budget reduces a number of services (including closing libraries two days a week and eliminating after-school child-care programs in parks) and provides for the firing of almost 1,700 city employees. A union official says that city staffing is already down to 1997 levels, and to add another 1,700 would have a significant effect on the efficient running of the city.