Following a poorly planned attempt at buyouts, city decides to just lay off workers instead

City manager Joe Pennachetti confirmed the city will be laying workers off. The layoffs, of course, are part of mayor Rob Ford’s attempt to reduce wasteful spending shrink government. While Pennachetti wouldn’t provide details, more information is expected when the city presents its 2012 budget proposal at the end of the month. According to Pennachetti, the layoffs are necessary in light of the city’s botched buyout plan. Although 1,140 city staffers applied for buyouts, the city could eliminate only 230 jobs, because many applicants’ positions were protected, or staffing requirements barred reduction. In other words, the buyout plan doesn’t sound like it was much of a plan at all. Read the entire story [Globe and Mail] »