Duluth lays off 169 jobs due to budget shortfall

Don Ness
Don Ness has served two terms on the Duluth City Council. A former campaign manager for Congressman Jim Oberstar, Ness currently works for a Duluth-based non-profit, the Zeppa Family Foundation.
MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher

Duluth Mayor Don Ness said 169 employees received layoff notices as part of a plan to balance a $6.5 million budget shortfall.

The layoffs announced Friday included 28 full-time, permanent employees and will have short- and long-term impacts.

Ness previously said Monday that 217 jobs would have to be cut, but to reduce the number of laid-off employees, Ness said his administration will seek to impose four unpaid days off for all employees who are not in public safety jobs.

The city's largest labor union urged any laid-off members to file grievances with the city.

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Information from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com