One-hundred government employees have been laid off in Monmouth County, with 52 workers affected in the sheriff?s department alone.

County officials wanted wage freezes to provide $7 million in payroll savings this year. They wanted unions to agree to wage freezes in exchange for job security for the rest of the year.

The unionized sheriff's department officers did not agree to a freeze and instead offered their own plans. However, the county chose layoffs.

The layoffs include 14 sheriff's officers and 38 corrections officers at the jail. Clerical staff, public works, law enforcement and other departments were also affected. Two sergeants were also demoted to lower ranks.

Monday was the first day of layoffs. A spokesperson for the county says it was business as usual.