Atlanta begins layoffs

Metro Atlanta

Atlanta begins layoffs

Atlanta officials have begun the process of notifying workers they are being laid off.

Atlanta officials have begun the process of notifying workers they are being laid off. They planned to lay off about 125 employees Thursday as part of Mayor Shirley Franklin's plan to cope with a projected $140 million budget shortfall by cutting staff and raising taxes.

"It's like a sore and you are poking at the sore," said Gina Pagnotta (center), a 9-year Public Works employee who is president of the 357-employee Professional Association of City Employees. Pagnotta listens to Parking Meter Enforcement Officers outside the budget meeting.

Atlanta City Council members Clarence Martin (from left), Cleta Winslow and Anne Fauver question the budget numbers.

Atlanta City Hall Chief Operations Officer Greg Giornelli sits to her left as as Mayor Franklin talks during Thursday's hearing. "This is a very tough decision," Franklin told reporters about the proposed property tax hike and layoffs.

Councilman Howard Shook ((left) with Chief of Staff Greg Pridgeon.

Drivers of the City of Atlanta Shuttle are among the many city workers that may loose their jobs.

Dana Jenkins, who works in the mayor's office, was one of the many employees to be laid off Thursday. City Council members grilled Franklin and her staff about the layoff plans during a meeting Thursday morning. Thursday's cuts are the first wave of 441 layoffs and elimination of 347 vacant positions.

Dana Jenkins leaves Thursday's hearing. Union leaders, already upset about the job cuts, said they are angry that city officials plan to have police officers at the termination meetings.

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Atlanta officials have begun the process of notifying workers they are being laid off. They planned to lay off about 125 employees Thursday as part of Mayor Shirley Franklin's plan to cope with a projected $140 million budget shortfall by cutting staff and raising taxes.

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