Wilkes-Barre may not be able to pay city workers

(Wilkes Barre) -- The northeastern Pennsylvania city of Wilkes-Barre may not be able to afford the last paycheck of the year for several hundred city employees.

City spokesman Drew McLaughlin says it could mean a payless payday for about 260 employees on Dec. 21. He says it's an outside possibility and that a decision will be made later this month.

The city is facing a $1.9 million deficit and has to make several debt payments by the end of the year.

McLaughlin says the city could end up having to withhold part or all of the workers' paychecks. Regardless, he says employees would eventually receive all their earnings, possibly with interest.

McLaughlin says the city could save about $500,000 by withholding salaries from an entire pay period.