Tempers are flaring over proposed police and fire cuts in Reading. Saturday morning, city leaders met with police and fire union leaders. The latest numbers add up to over 50 people being laid off. WFMZ's Jackie Shutack reports.


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nats - 6:55  "We can't do more with less, because it's going to be a safety factor for the citizens of Reading, and the firefighters that are trying to do the job."
>>  REPORTER:  Speaking before a Reading City Council meeting, Reading Firefighters Union President Keith Eschleman expresses his frustration with the city's latest budget proposals.
>>  KEITH ESCHLEMAN/PRESIDENT, LOCAL 1803 READING FIREFIGHTERS:  3:33  "We've been asking them about numbers, and every time we do get them if we would get them, they were different."
>>  REPORTER:   According to Reading Mayor Tom McMahon, the latest count reveals that 26 police and 27 firefighters could be laid off.
>> KEITH ESCHLEMAN/PRESIDENT, LOCAL 1803 READING FIREFIGHTERS: 4:40  "Our fire department is working below NFPA standards, really we're not in compliance with the safety, health and safety."
>>  REPORTER:  Mayor McMahon told us off camera that the numbers are constantly changing as the city hashes out revenue numbers.
   City leaders hope everyone can work towards a common agreement.
>>  JEFF WALTMAN/CITY COUNCIL FINANCE CHAIRMAN:  "We'll be able to do that if I think we have some help from them, form those organizations themselves, meaning the unions, so maybe there's a middle ground."
>>  REPORTER:  City Council will meet Monday night to continue this process.
  Mayor McMahon says he hopes to have a final budget worked out by November 16.
Jackie Shutack, 69 News.

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