Coleman asked the leaders of five unions representing about 7,000 city workers to give up pay raises and bonuses that he said would save Columbus $10 million of the $13 million that still needs to be cut from a new city budget.

He gave the unions until Jan. 23 to respond to his ultimatum. If they agree, he said, he won't add to the 130 layoffs already planned. If they don't, all bets are off.

The request to forgo pay raises -- and the threat to cut more jobs -- includes police officers and firefighters, whose ranks have been spared until now.

"Your co-workers and the public are depending on you to step up for the good of everyone," Coleman wrote in a letter to union leaders.

Coleman met with union representatives as well, said Dan Williamson, the mayor's spokesman.

Union leaders weren't surprised by the request, which Coleman made informally when he proposed his 2009 budget in November. They were irked, however, by a 10-day window that allows little time to discuss the plan with their members.

Coleman's budget, which still needs the City Council's approval, seeks to cut $54.4 million from the amount it would take to keep local government running at 2008 levels. City Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian has since revised his financial estimates and told city officials that they need to cut $13 million more.

Jack Reall, president of the union representing Columbus firefighters, said legal and logistical issues make it difficult to answer Coleman by the end of next week.

Firefighters signed a new contract last year that includes 4 percent raises due June 1. It also lays down rules for renegotiating terms, and the union has its own rules for notifying members of proposed changes.

Coleman's letter tells union workers that "We are all in the same boat when it comes to our need to sacrifice," but Reall said the mayor seems intent on dictating terms.

In addition to freezing pay, Coleman asked the five unions to give up bonuses called "service credits" that award extra pay based on longevity. Pay freezes are in effect for Coleman and more than 400 nonunion workers.

"Essentially, the point of this is fairness," said Williamson, who added that Coleman's requests "really aren't that drastic."

Jim Gilbert, president of Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, said the request was expected, but he called the mayor's methods "completely unacceptable."

The police union's contract expired in December, and negotiators have been at the table for months, he said. Coleman hasn't proposed money to raise the pay of police or members of another union now in talks, the Columbus Municipal Association of Government Employees.

Brien Bellous, president of that union, said he was calling a meeting of his union's executive committee to discuss Coleman's request.

Doug Moore, president of one of two city-worker locals affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said he also planned to convene his union's leadership. AFSCME Local 1632 signed a contract last year that includes 3 percent raises due April 1.

rvitale@dispatch.com