WILKES-BARRE, — A northeastern Pennsylvania county has laid off 22 workers to help close a $1.4 million budget deficit.

Luzerne County went through with the layoffs on Tuesday. The employees worked in court-related offices and several other departments throughout the county.

They are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Officials had originally planned to furlough as many as 36 employees, but recent retirements allowed them to reduce the number.

The county employs about 1,400.