It also began shrinking its work force in Germany through early-retirement programs.

"No." The hospitals agency has already planned to shrink the system's work force by 1,000 jobs during the next fiscal year because of the deficit.

Ford's goal is to shrink its global work force to 78,000.

The company also said it will shrink its worldwide work force by 14,000 employees this year.

So even though most health experts believe that hospitals should shrink their work force for about a decade, many residency programs have expanded.

"We needed people to leave, to shrink our work force, but now we are operating in a different marketplace," she said.

The plan would also require the cooperation of municipal unions in shrinking the city's work force and making it more efficient.

It also said it was planning to shrink its work force by 14,000 employees this year.

Ford has already taken some steps to shrink its work force.

The giant computer maker is also planning to shrink its worldwide work force by 14,000 this year.