Hundreds Laid Off In Camden County, NJ Government
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) - Camden County had laid off about one-sixth of its workforce in the name of economy.
Following the layoff of nearly 400 police officers and firefighters earlier this year by the City of Camden (see related story), 260 people in the Camden County government are now out of work, too, all but a few terminated in a move to save $12 million.
County freeholder-director Lou Cappelli says they tried to shave the number a bit.
"We've gone to all of the unions and asked for additional concessions in order to save jobs. For the most part, the response of the unions has been to just have folks laid off," Cappelli says.
Still to be decided is how to cut $2 million from the county prosecutor's office, which could result in up to 66 layoffs (see previous story). That'll be worked out as part of the final budget to be put forward in the next month or so -- which will likely include a two-percent increase in property taxes, the maximum allowed under the state cap.
Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio 1060.
