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The Atlantic City boardwalk
(File photo )
ATLANTIC CITY -- Public employees learned Tuesday that the city will ask the state for permission to reduce staff by as many as 300 personnel through attrition and layoffs, according to a report in the Press of Atlantic City.
In addition to the layoff plan, to be filed Oct. 1 with the state, city officials also intend to negotiate new contract terms with all employees save for police, potentially leading to reduced salary and benefits for the affected workers. Any workers let go would receive 45 days’ notice.
State officials will have 30 days to approve the plan.
Mayor Don Guardian said the news “shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone” in a town where four casinos have closed recently and a fifth may be shuttered by the end of the year. But, Guardian added, many of the reductions are expected to come through attrition and not layoffs.
While some departments may disappear as some city functions are assumed by the state or Atlantic County, Guardian said he’s opposed to disbanding the city police force and relying on a county agency, as was done in another financially struggling South Jersey city, Camden.