San Luis Obispo, CA -- Many San Luis Obispo employees are being asked to take a nearly 7 percent cut in their overall compensation — which includes benefits and pay — to help balance the city’s budget. The City Council wants to slash $3.1 million annually from employee costs — or 6.8 percent per employee. In a letter obtained by The Tribune, the city outlined its initial negotiation objectives with the four groups at the bargaining table representing police, fire, battalion chiefs and general employees.

According to City Manager Katie Lichtig, “Each group is being asked to contribute 6.8 percent of total compensation to achieve the overall financial objective.” “How they get to it, in terms of different groups having different circumstances, has yet to be decided.”