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November 17, 1998 9:00 AM, EST

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will lay off union workers for the first time since the road was built 58 years ago.

hirty-one workers will lose their jobs in January in positions that "really don't have any impact on the delivery of service and are unnecessary," commission spokesman Bill Capone said. He said the cuts are part of an effort to run the Turnpike more like a business.

he employees work in the fare collection department. Teamsters union officials, who represent Turnpike workers, said the layoffs came without advance notice or an explanation.

Since they're cutting so many people and saving so much money, maybe they'll reduce tolls," said Bill Gross, a representative for Teamsters Local 250 in suburban Pittsburgh.

he laid-off workers will be eligible for unemployment compensation, Mr. Capone said. The move should save $1 million annually — an average of $32,258 per worker.

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