The State : S.F. Trimming Its Work Force

Almost 400 city employees will receive layoff notices this week as San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos works to trim a projected $179-million budget deficit. Provisional employees not covered by Civil Service will be the first to go, followed by workers within the Civil Service structure who have the least seniority, said Al Walker, secretary of San Francisco’s Civil Service Commission. The Municipal Railway is expected to be the hardest hit, with 114 employees getting the ax. Next will be the Department of Public Health and community mental health programs with 33. Another 16 are expected to be laid off at San Francisco General Hospital, followed by 12 in the Park and Recreation Department. The remainder will be spread throughout the city’s work force.