No agreement on layoffs between union, city

Chicago officials and union leaders have failed to come up with an agreement on cost-cutting concessions that could avert the layoffs of about 1,500 employees.

Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon admitted to being discouraged Wednesday after the various unions failed to reach a consensus on a mix of worker givebacks in return for city guarantees.

Mayoral press secretary Jacquelyn Heard said there's "still time" to hammer out specifics.

The city has proposed that union workers agree to unpaid furlough days and that compensatory time be taken for overtime instead of cash. Layoffs would become effective July 15 and save $34 million this year.

Gannon had initially hoped to have a final agreement hammered out in time to get it ratified by a 40-member labor coalition on Thursday. He says now, no vote is planned.