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Chicago unions issue report, try to avoid layoffs

Union leaders say they have found ways to save Chicago about $242 million that will also save the jobs of as many as 625 workers who Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to lay off.

On Tuesday, union leaders said they'd delivered a report to Emanuel's office that takes aim at a bloated middle management workforce in the city and a system they say unfairly awards city contracts to private companies.

They also say the city could save tens of millions of dollars by just being more efficient.

Emanuel has criticized unions for not working with him to reduce the city's deficit — and his office has focused much of its attention on work rules regarding overtime.

Union leaders say they found enough savings to prevent any change to overtime rules.