The purpose of this Article is to provide a fair and equitable basis for the reduction of personnel when this becomes necessary in a department or in the total work force. In such circumstances, the City will make every effort to assist those employees who may be subject to layoff due to lack of work or similarly compelling reason. Assistance will be made available through utilizing existing vacancies to the fullest extent possible to relocate affected employees. In addition, contacts will be made with other employers to refer those employees who are unable to be placed in other City vacancies.