We applaud New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. for his direct approach in getting out front early, letting everyone know that the national economy means a lot of pain ahead for city workers.

DeStefano is seeking about $10 million in union concessions for fiscal 2010, but will lay off workers before June 30 if agreements cannot be reached.

The mayor has directed city leaders to draft $10 million in personnel cuts, should such a scenario be necessary.

The city is about $5 million in the hole, and no plan has been formed to close the gap, he said.

DeStefano has warned for months that a spiraling state deficit and worsening global economy would result in difficult decisions for the city. He has called for legislation to allow for local taxes on income and commuting, opening of union contracts and delay of school construction projects.

We especially like that DeStefano asked for permission to meet directly with union membership. He already has met with school custodians, teachers and public works employees.

The mayor for several months has called for reopening of union contracts, warning of difficult financial years ahead for the city. DeStefano and his staff have met regularly with union leadership regarding city finances. While several unions denied his request to take his message directly to union membership, he has attended several meetings recently.

"I want us to work together and not beat each other up at this point in the process," he said.

Predictably, union leaders so far haven't warmed to DeStefano's warning salvos, instead claiming they've already sacrificed enough and that the mayor should be looking elsewhere to make further cuts.

There aren't a lot of other places to look, though we do agree with union leaders that every single city department and job needs to be studied to determine the importance of each position. Continued...

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Reality, however, means that the mayor and the unions will be spending a lot of time together the next few months trying to carve out a plan that keeps the city's financial condition healthy.

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