New Bedford, Mass., To Lay Off 200 City Workers

Mayor Scott Lang of New Bedford, Mass., says he is preparing to lay off up to 200 municipal workers, including police officers and firefighters. Unions representing both departments voted overwhelmingly against a proposed 10-percent pay cut. Layoffs will begin before the end of this week.

In a statement, Lang said the state reduced New Bedford's local aid by $2.8 million for the rest of the city's fiscal year. As a result, he says, the city government must cut almost $140,000 per week until June 30. Lang said the cuts are "unavoidable."

"The city’s financial team is working to determine exact, final figures and over the course of the next several days," Lang said. "City employees will be notified as to how the cutbacks will impact them."