On Tuesday, Scranton labor unions asked a court to hold the mayor in contempt for ignoring a court order forbidding him from cutting the pay of city workers to minimum wage. The mayor said that the cut was necessary given the financial health of the city, and that wages would be restored when the city could afford it. The unions, which represent police, firefighters and public works employees have also filed lawsuits in federal court alleging that the Mayor violated due process and labor law. Scranton faces a $16.8 million budget deficit.
See "Pa. mayor cuts city workers' pay to minimum wage", Michael Rubinkam, Business Week, July 10, 2012