City Of Miami Plans To Lay Off 20 Percent Of Workforce

The City of Miami told employees it was cutting about fifty jobs, or 20 percent of its workforce.

The City Manager says it's so more money can go toward capital improvements, but he's also dealing with pension problems.

"One option is to increase the money they contribute, or increase the amount the city contributes, but that's a budget issue and would require a budget capacity that we don't have," said City Manager Jeff Bishop.

According to a news release from the city, Bishop will emphasize voluntary employee departures through a possible early retirement offer, other exit incentives and employee attrition.  Bishop says the measures will only be cost-effective if the City restricts future hiring.  

The voluntary measures will be rolled out starting in the first quarter of 2013.