Oh..am well aware of unions and the power they wield...they would be somewhat challenged to provide a defense...when it is clear no lay off's are involved but by attrition only. Their position will be that it is still a loss of available union positions and we don't want them lost...why? ..., because we say so. Well sometimes you can't always have things your way, especially when you are not signing the checks and when it is a community collaboration where each much do their part! 
It is collaborative, needed and do-able if everyone stepped up...but around these parts, each to his own fiefdom and defending territory.....can hear the Union screams and threats already. The common thread is the County, every community and taxpayer. Pool the peoples $$ and save the County & Cities $$.  The County can sell 1/2 to the City for one dollar and a partnership door could open, not likely - way to many folk making lists of why it can't happen vs getting out of the box and listing how it could!