City Of Tulsa Starts Issuing Layoff Notices

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa police, firefighters and some civilian workers were given formal notice today they will be laid off next Friday because of the city's ongoing budget crisis.

Firefighters met at the Tulsa Fire Department's training center where 147 firefighters were given layoff notices.  Family members attended the meeting as well. 

1/21/2010 Related story: With Layoffs Looming, Tulsa is Changing Police & Fire Assignments

On Thursday, Mayor Dewey Bartlett said if the FOP and the city cannot reach a deal today at  at Noon, 155 officers will be notified they will be laid off effective next Friday.  

Police Chief Ron Palmer says the current budget crisis is the greatest adversity his department has ever faced. 

The department will be notifying officers at two meetings at the Tulsa Police Academy. 

Those meetings are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The FOP and the city are continuing to negotiate in hopes of avoiding the layoffs. The layoff notices could be recalled if the negotiations succeed.

The city of Tulsa's non-sworn employees have voted to accept 65 layoffs instead of a pay cut.

1/21/2010 Related story: Tulsa City Workers Split On Union Poll Results