"I appreciate the fact that our unions have been sitting down with us to negotiate reductions in benefits and compensation," said the Mayor, "but I have to conclude that either they do not understand the depth of this emergency or the urgency of fixing it," he said, pointing to the substantial wage and benefit concessions and give-backs made by unions around Ohio:

• In Cincinnati, firefighters worked with the city to make cuts of $1.4 million by shutting down 4 units and re-assigning 16 firefighters.

• A majority of Dayton firefighters joined one other city union in agreeing to wage freezes and a give-back of holiday pay to save $1.4 million. Dayton has laid off 11 police officers to fill its budget hole.

• Toledo firefighters agreed to absolve the city from paying their pension, and take on the responsibility of paying the 7% cost themselves, as have firefighters in Warren - who also agreed to a wage reduction to avoid 18 more layoffs. 11 Warren firefighters have been let go this year.

• In Columbus, union employees agreed to give up five holidays without pay.

• State union employees agreed to take-off 10 days without pay in the coming two years

"In these examples, more senior workers offered to assist those with less seniority to keep their jobs by making sacrifices," said Plusquellic. "Our Akron city workers are no less caring people, and I expect that they will want to help." The Mayor said one union leader in particular has chosen to fight over everything rather than look at the best interests of citizens.

"While cities across the country are facing the worst economic crisis in 70 years, we can’t even get our police and fire unions to forego overtime pay for working a 14th paid holiday," Plusquellic said - referring to his request in February that unions show their concern by giving up the city picnic holiday. (The Mayor previously expressed his appreciation to the Civil Service Personnel Association, the Akron Nurses Association, and AFSCME for joining non-bargaining employees in the symbolic give-back that saved about $100,000.)

"Our unions are coming to the table," said Plusquellic, "but they are nibbling around the edges of a problem that require decisive, substantial, and immediate changes if we are to avoid hundreds of layoffs in the 4th quarter."

Plusquellic explained that while he cautioned managers and unions in February that the city was headed for budget cutbacks, the emergency nature of the situation became clear only last month when the state of Ohio lopped-off $2 million in payments the city was counting on to assist its operating budget.

The Mayor pointed to the city’s generous benefit package "I know of few major employers in our region - if any- who do not ask employees to share in their medical costs," said Plusquellic. "We have not asked Akron city workers to pay a penny of these rising premium costs and claims expenses, and have kept our deductibles and co-pays lower than any major private company." City employees also enjoy low cost prescriptions and generous vision, dental, and life insurance benefits.

Plusquellic also pointed to other benefits of city workers that are not generally available in the private sector:

• 14 paid holidays, plus premium pay for those who work the holiday;

• Clothing and Uniform allowances for all five city unions

• Generous policy of accumulating leave and vacation time, which varies among bargaining units;

• Longevity payments to all city workers with over five years of service

• The opportunity to maximize overtime, which is guaranteed for court appearances by police officers and for training by firefighters when they are off-duty;

• Paid training and weekly license bonuses for certain CSPA and AFSCME members

• Physical fitness incentive of $300 annually for police and fire