NEW YORK, NY June 02, 2009 —Municipal union leaders have agreed to let city workers shoulder more of their health care costs, in a concession to the city meant to prevent layoffs. The measures include co-pays of $50 to $100 for emergency room visits, and could save the city a $ 1 billion over the next six years. The agreement will delay some layoffs for 90 days, but Local 237 president Gregory Floyd says that should buy negotiators some time.

FLOYD: We're hoping in 90 days the economy will have picked up, we're hoping that tax revenue will pick up, we're also optimistic that maybe some people will decide to retire.

To soften the blow of the co-pays for their members, union leaders have decided to make a one-time payment of $200 to all active employees and retirees.