Watsonville, CA: Pay Cuts to Save 90 Jobs

The new city budget for Watsonville, California will cut pay and hours for employees, but saves 89 jobs.

The city intended to eliminate 112 jobs to help close a $4.5 million deficit. But city staff, including police and firefighters, have agreed to wage and hour cuts that reduced layoffs to three. Another 20 positions will remain vacant.

Employee hours will be cut from 40 to 36 a week, representing a 10% pay cut.

By reducing their work weeks from 40 to 36 hours, most employees will see their pay drop 10%. Compensation for police and firefighters will drop 7.5% through pay or benefit cuts.

Most city offices will shut down on Fridays.