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Deal Saves 195 Sanitation Jobs In Newark

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Nearly 200 sanitation workers in New Jersey's largest city won't be spending Christmas on the unemployment line.

Union leaders on Thursday reached a deal with Newark officials to save 195 jobs.

Roughly 287 sanitation workers were to be let go Dec. 23 and their jobs were to be outsourced to a private company.

The Star-Ledger of Newark reports the workers will take on the roles of trash collection and demolition. They'll clean up illegal dumping, vacant lots and haul waste from demolished buildings in addition to hauling trash.

City and union officials tell the newspaper the average in-house cost will be $4.7 million a year.

The 92 workers who will be laid off could be hired back over time because privatization was taken off the table.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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