Chicago mayor announces 625 layoffs

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CHICAGO, July 15 (UPI) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Friday 625 city employees will be laid off in an effort to close Chicago's $30 million budget gap.

"It has been two weeks and despite ongoing talks, none of the changes have been addressed or agreed upon," Emanuel said of the time he has given unions to close the budget hole, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Among those affected will be custodians, Water Department call-center operators and seasonal Transportation Department workers, the newspaper said.

Emanuel said he will do what it takes to close the entire budget gap created when a deal with City Hall labor unions for unpaid days off expired. He also asked unions for more concessions and introduced work rule changes, including the suggestion paid holidays be reduced from 12 to nine.