SPOKANE -- Spokane County has started issuing layoff notices to some workers, with dozens of employees likely to be facing layoffs by the end of December unless unions and managers reach agreements on concessions in wages or work hours.

Prosecutor Steve Tucker said Thursday he has notified eight attorneys and four support staff that they will be out of jobs by the beginning of 2010 unless changes are made to county's labor agreement.

Similar notices have gone out to employees in the courts, the criminal justice system and all county services.