Boston Officials Balk At Union's Early-Retirement Request

Union leaders are asking the city of Boston to implement an early retirement plan.

It's their response to Mayor Thomas Menino's call for a
one-year wage freeze to cope with a $140 million city budget shortfall.

City officials balked at the union's request, saying a 2002 early retirement plan added more than $62 million to the city's pension liability.

Labor leaders are also asking for guarantees that their workers won't be laid off.