Tough living with the L word -- Layoff

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-16/123643831349670.xml&coll=5

Saturday, March 07, 2009
BY CARMEN CUSIDO

Faced with the possibility of layoffs, some county employees shied away from talking about losing their jobs as they headed home yesterday.

Many of the county employees leaving their 640 S. Broad St. offices at 4:30 p.m. yesterday power-walked to their cars, saying they were "busy," "in a hurry," or "don't want to talk" about the possibility of losing their jobs.

But one woman who has worked for the county for less than a year, said she would likely go if there were layoffs.

"Whatever happens, happens. I'm not worried," said the woman, who declined to give her name or the department where she works.

On Thursday, County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced that between 75 and 125 employees -- 6 percent of Mercer County's work force of 1,900 people -- could be laid off over the next three months to help close a two-year $43 million budget shortfall.

The administration is also considering pay and hiring freezes, furloughs, downsizing health benefits, offering early retirement incentives, and asking organized labor to modify their work contracts, according to Hughes' statement.

FULL 2 page story at link.