Los Angeles Mayor Calls for Shorter Working Hours to Save Jobs

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Monday that he wants city workers to consider cutting their working hours to help avert the loss of hundreds of jobs.

At a news conference at the City Hall, Villaraigosa also proposed that city employees pay more toward their retirement benefits to help lessen the city's financial burden.

Recession-battered Los Angeles is facing a projected budget gap that could reach 530 million dollars, city officials said.

Calling for shared sacrifice by city employees at a time of crisis, Villaraigosa said that the city faces the possibility of losing 2,800 jobs even after deep cuts, adding that nearly 600 of the jobs could be saved if every city employee worked one less hour per week.

He further said about 1,300 jobs could be saved if workers cut back one hour per week and contribute 2 percent more toward their retirement benefits. 

Source: CRIEnglish