Compton May Cut Hundreds Of Jobs To Stave Off Bankruptcy
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Employees of the city of Compton are afraid their jobs could be sacrificed to keep the city out of bankruptcy.
KNX 1070's John Brooks reports layoffs could be all that stands between the city and fiscal insolvency.
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An independent auditing firm says Compton's budget crisis has grown so severe that insolvency is a real possibility.
The City Council has given the city manager permission to begin layoffs -- as many as 120 of the city's 575 employees.
Maintenance worker Carol Francis says its looking like her union might not be able to save her job.
"It's not based on seniority, it's based on position," said Francis. "That's where it really hurts, because some people have spent a lifetime here."
"If they don't have that position available, they're out of a job," added Francis.
Managers and union representatives continue to explore alternatives to the proposed cuts, but it could be an uphill battle: the city faces a general fund deficit topping $25 million with no reserves.
"It's so sad," said Harris.
