Boston Asks Unions To Agree To Wage Freeze

January 27, 2009 11:22 a.m. EST

Boston, MA (AHN) - Despite the failure by a freeze hiring imposed by Boston City Mayor Thomas Menino last fall to save the state less than projected savings, the mayor is pushing the city's union to accept a 12-month wage freeze for fiscal 2010.

The wage freeze is among the measures the city is imposing to curb cost and balance its budget. Boston is expecting a $140 million budget deficit for fiscal 2010.

The other measures Menino has in mind are a reduction in local assistance caused by $22 million cuts made by Massachusetts in state aid to local governments.

On Friday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced he will reduce assistance to cities and towns by $128 million, which would reduce Boston's share by $20 million to $22 million.

Earlier this month, Menino warned during his State of the City address of layoffs among city employees. Union leaders said they will only agree to a salary freeze if Menino will assure them he will not cut off employees from the city payroll, but the mayor refuses to make that commitment.