Daley: Union employees to take furlough days

CHICAGO Mayor Daley said Saturday that the nation's slowing economy means Chicago's union employees must take six unpaid furlough days. The mayor spoke while attending the city's third annual Science in the City program. He said a budget crisis means city government will mostly shut down for six days at holiday times.

"We'll keep a skeleton force-- fire, police and sanitation, emergency crews-- but we have to save money. Otherwise, you have more layoffs. Non-union employees are already taking three furlough days, and taking three more. Union employees have taken nothing," Daley said.

Those attending Science in the City got to meet athletes such as former Chicago Bears star linebacker Otis Wilson, along with Olympians and Paralympians.

The program's goal is to demonstrate that principles of sports and science are important education tools.