(Chicago News Cooperative) — Leaders of city employee unions responded Tuesday to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s layoff and privatization plans by pointing out many ways that they say city officials could save almost $250 million without sacrificing the jobs of their members. In a 31-page report delivered to the mayor’s office, consultants for labor groups said Emanuel should reduce the city’s management ranks, reverse the privatization of public work that city employees could perform at lower cost and institute 17 other cost-saving steps. Before pushing unionized city workers to accept contract concessions or privatizing their positions, city leaders “should make sure you are managing things the way that they should be managed,” said Jorge Ramirez, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
