Daley lays off more than 400 city workers

CHICAGO, July 16 (UPI) -- Chicago Mayor Richard Daley laid off more than 400 city workers after two unions failed to agree to cost-cutting measures, the mayor's office said.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees workers were told their jobs would end immediately, city officials said.

Teamsters Local 726, which lost 141 drivers, understands "there's economic problems with the city and they had to do what they had to do, but our members spoke loud and clear," recording secretary Jack Hurley said.

"The members spoke and we went along with their wishes and that's how it has to be," he said, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Shortly before the city announcement, AFSCME Council 31, which lost 290 workers, said the mayor's decision would "cause great hardship for these workers and their families and will further reduce city services for residents who rely on them, especially in the police department, the libraries and the health clinics."

Daley said delivering city services with fewer employees would require "better management," the Tribune reported.

"You know, you have to do more with less," the mayor said.