IAFF:Always on the Front Line

Wilmington budget includes layoffs
The News Journal (05/29/09)
City Council passed a $145 million operating budget that includes layoffs of 17 police officers and eight fire fighters. It also includes double-digit hikes in property taxes, water-sewer fees and a per-employee tax on all but the smallest businesses throughout the city. Fines for parking tickets and red-light camera fines will go up as well. The budget passed by a 7-4 vote. When the council tabled its vote last week on the budget for the fiscal year that begins in July, the city had reached a tentative agreement with the police union's leadership to avoid the layoffs but was at an impasse with the firefighters' union. By the time the vote came, the situation was reversed. The police union's rank-and-file members rejected the tentative agreement reached by its leadership by a 120-113 vote, the union's lead negotiator, George Taylor, said. But the firefighters' union leadership reached a tentative agreement with the city hours before the budget vote was taken.

KC Council OKs pact with firefighters union that includes concessions
Kansas City.com (05/28/09)
The Kansas City Council approved a three-year agreement with the city’s firefighters' union that included wage concessions to help the city in tough economic times. The agreement with Local 42 of the International Association of Fire Fighters is effective retroactive to May 1 and extends through April 30, 2012. It calls for all 900 fire fighters to accept a wage freeze and work three extra days without pay, allowing the city to avoid fire fighter layoffs. The wage freeze could continue if the city’s revenues remain flat in the second year of the agreement, but wages are supposed to rise to where they would otherwise have been by the third year.

Teachers, firefighters face layoffs in Brockton
The Enterprise (05/28/09)
Fifteen fire fighters got pink slips and 74 teachers and school staffers were put on notice they could lose their jobs as the city grapples with a severe budget crunch. It was the second time in two months that the fire fighters face the loss of their jobs, and Chief Kenneth Galligan fears the worst. The jobs were saved in April when the firefighters' union gave concessions that freed up money to balance the budget until the end of the year. At that point, 20 jobs were in jeopardy. The new fiscal year begins July 1. Brockton, like cities and towns across the state, is facing cuts in local aid from the state and dwindling local revenue, such as excise taxes.

Police, fire agree to salary freezes
Rocklin Placer Herald (05/28/09)
To help ease the city’s budget deficit, Rocklin fire and police departments have agreed to forgo salary increases for the next two years. The city of Rocklin management team met with both the Rocklin Firefighter’s Union Local 3847 and the Rocklin Police Officers’ Association executive board to discuss cost-cutting measures. Both groups agreed to take a salary freeze until 2011. According to city officials, the salary savings will help the city achieve a balanced budget. “We do work to make an income, but that is not the most important thing for a fire fighter,” said Bill Mikesell, Rocklin Fire Department chief. “It’s the whole idea of helping people.”

19 cops, 14 fire fighters at risk in budget talks
The Saratogian (05/27/09)
Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim says that cutting 19 police officers and 14 fire fighters is the only way to meeting a $1.3 million budget cut. All city departments have been asked to make cuts, in the face of $3 million in lost revenue to the city, in the form of both VLT aid that the city will not receive, and in other revenues that have been lower than expected. The Public Safety Department will see the greatest cuts in the city, in part because it has the largest budget.

Mayor cuts another $5 million from budget, firefighters concerned
KJRH (05/25/09)
Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor has already cut $13 million from the budget, but needs to cut $5 million more. Taylor says the city could save almost $1.3 million by adding two more furlough days, for a total of six. But the firefighters' union says the cost that has on public safety is far greater. "An area of town that had an engine company within four minutes, now they may be eight, nine, ten minutes away before they receive service. We just can't accept that," said Stan May, union president.

State Budget Cuts Could Compromise Ability to Fight Wildfires
760 AM Talk Radio
From CAL Fire to local fire districts, looming budget cuts could force a major scale-back in the number of fire fighters and resources available, potentially endangering public safety. With fire season only starting, fire officials said the budget cuts could compromise their ability to battle future wildfires. The state now faces a $21 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year. According to state budget officials, CAL Fire now faces a potential reduction of $80 million in state funding. That means cutting more than 600 full-time fire fighters and 1,100 seasonal fire fighters, as well as the possibility of dozens of stations either closing or scaling back their operations.

Chorley plans to lay off 40 firefighters in the next 30 days
The Star Press (05/22/09)
Forty fire fighters -- more than one-third of the Muncie Fire Department -- will be laid off in the next 30 days as a result of a $3.4 million city budget shortfall, announced Mayor Sharon McShurley. The mayor's announcement came in the form of a letter to Mike Whited, president of the local firefighters' union, and in effect declared an economic emergency, allowing for the cuts under the city's contract with the fire fighters. The city's financial state is such that "if immediate actions are not taken, the City of Muncie would be forced to close its doors beginning November 2009," McShurley wrote. The layoff of 40 fire fighters for six months would translate into $951,173 to help cover the projected revenue shortfall from property tax caps imposed on local government and schools. Whited, president of Local 1348, expressed disappointment that the mayor was unwilling to give fire fighters 30 days, as requested, to come up with a plan to avoid layoffs.

Firefighter unions sound alarm over recent cuts
The Baltimore Sun (05/21/09)
The city's firefighter unions have stepped up pressure on Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon to reverse proposed cuts to the fire department, airing a radio ad that says the budget would increase response times to emergencies. The department is one of the hardest-hit agencies in the proposed budget, absorbing $3 million in cuts that would result in the closures of two fire companies -- essentially, two fire apparatuses would be shut down and its fire fighters reassigned within the agency. City officials note that no one would be laid off and that no firehouses would close permanently, though houses would close on a rotating basis to reduce spending on overtime. In the ad, which features a mock 911 call, someone calls to report a fire and is told by the dispatcher that the units will take longer to respond because the fire company closest to the caller's home has been closed. Union officials said they borrowed the idea from Philadelphia, where fire fighters are mounting a similar battle against the closure of seven companies. "It's our view that any reduction in services will compromise our ability to do our jobs, as well as put our members in jeopardy," said Captain Stephan G. Fugate, president of the fire officers union. "It's simply ludicrous to think you can close fire units and it won't have any impact on response times."

Firefighter Layoffs Spark Uproar
Indiana News (05/21/09)
Kokomo's mayor and fire chief are at odds over the mayor's plan to layoff 12 of the city's fire fighters and move their ambulance runs through local hospitals. Fire Chief Scott Kern said he is working with local unions to try to keep the fire fighters working for the department, but time is running out. "We don't have enough fire fighters to protect the citizens of Kokomo," said Blake Granson, brother of one of the laid off fire fighters. "It's just going to be a real ugly situation." The city is partnering with local hospitals to provide ambulance service, instead of the fire department, eliminating fire fighter jobs. Mayor Greg Goodnight said the cost-cutting move will save the city $850,000 a year. "It doesn't do anything to jeopardize public safety. These ambulances for two weeks have been parked and are not making runs," Goodnight said. "We've had extra bodies around the fire station." Kern said the fire fighters in question do more than take ambulance runs. They also assist in fire fighting efforts. The city has 112 fire fighters, and Kern said that isn't enough to adequately service Kokomo's needs.

Firefighters call for study in face of layoffs
The Star Press (05/20/09)
If local fire fighters don't make concessions to help tame the city's budget problems, Mayor Sharon McShurley said they're likely to see their ranks thinned. "If we do not get concessions, I have no choice (other) than to announce layoffs," McShurley said. Fire fighters met to talk about their next step, which could include giving up jobs, pay or benefits while already facing the closure of their downtown headquarters and a south Muncie station. Fire fighter Mike Whited, president of Firefighters Local 1348, declined to say whether concessions would be made, waiting to first talk to the mayor. Muncie police also have been asked to give up $1 million in concessions. Fire fighters question McShurley's decision to close the department's downtown headquarters. McShurley, however, contends she depended on the input of her new fire chief, Sean Burcham, along with the department's three battalion chiefs in deciding what stations to close. Burcham, along with other administrative staff, would be housed at city hall while fire companies would be split among neighboring fire stations. "I don't know anywhere that the fire chief is not at fire headquarters," said Burcham. Whited suggested the city conduct a study of fire protection needs and offered the resources of the International Association of Fire Fighters to perform that study, based on a geographic information survey of people, buildings and property to determine the need and capacity of fire and emergency medical response.

Man wants police, firefighters back
Windy.com (05/20/09)
Robert Cvengros sat in his motorized scooter next to the city’s historic Log Cabin on Courthouse Square waving at motorists and trying to get signers for his petitions. Cvengros, 57, hopes that public pressure in the form of his petitions will force Warren, Ohio Mayor Michael O’Brien and his administration to recall laid-off police and fire fighters. “We don’t have enough [fire fighters] to cover the city now, and they’re talking more layoffs in the fire department,” Cvengros said. “We need another fire station opened right now, and that should be obvious.” Cvengros was referring to a recent house fire that left four people, including a Warren police officer, seriously injured. The city laid off 11 fire fighters and 20 police officers earlier this year. The petitions also call for the resignations of O’Brien and his staff if the city either continues or adds to the fire fighter layoffs.

3-man staffing stymies firefighters
Contra Costa Times (05/19/09)
Fire fighters and a woman who nearly lost her son in a house fire say significant damage could have been prevented if the first crew had been allowed go inside immediately and douse the flames. Recent budget cuts have reduced nine of the city's 12 fire stations to three-man crews, which means fire fighters must wait for a second engine before they can set foot inside a burning structure. Although the first engine pulled up to the burning home at 9:23 a.m., dispatch tapes show a backup engine didn't arrive for another nine minutes. Fire fighters can be heard three times asking where the second engine is or saying that they are ready to enter the building but have to wait for backup.

Firefighters in Cape opt to freeze pay
Fort Myers News-Press (05/19/09)
Cape Coral fire fighters have voted to freeze their wages next year. Now it's time for police and other city union workers to follow suit, some City Council members say. City Manager Terry Stewart is recommending no raises next year for the city's 1,600 employees, many represented by unions. A preliminary budget for 2010 includes no raises. The wage freezes for 160 fire fighters, engineers and lieutenants will save $350,000 next year, and other cuts -- including eliminating three vacant lieutenant positions -- account for another $600,000, said Lt. Mark Muerth, president of the local firefighters' union. In the vote last week, 41 union members voted in favor of the wage freezes while 17 voted against the freezes and 122 members abstained, Muerth said.

Survey: Recession burns Ga. firefighters
Atlanta Business Chronicle (05/19/09)
Metro Atlanta and Georgia fire fighters face some significant challenges due to the recession, according to a survey sponsored by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. and conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. The “Supporting Safer Communities: A National Firefighter Survey” found 63 percent of Georgia fire departments do not have protective equipment for all personnel to respond to wildland fires and 63 percent do not have protective equipment for all personnel to respond to a hazardous materials incident. About 33 percent of Georgia fire departments do not have adequate extrication equipment needed to safely and quickly remove injured people from a vehicle crash, the survey also noted. In metro Atlanta, 82 percent of departments find staffing/recruitment/retention at least somewhat challenging, 75 percent find insufficient and old/outdated equipment/apparatus at least somewhat challenging and about 33 percent have had to or are planning on cutting back on staffing because of the economic crisis.

Salinas firefighters agree to pay concessions
The Californian (05/18/09)
Salinas fire fighters are making pay concessions for the next two years to help the city deal with budget shortfalls. The city expects to save about $950,000 as it faces a $12-million projected deficit. The International Fire Fighters Association Local 1270 and the Fire Supervisors Association (SFA) agreed to 7.5 percent in cuts. The SFA will forego holiday pay equivalent to 4.5 percent of their salary, for two years, and will contribute 3 percent of their salaries to health insurance. The FSA will contribute 7.5 percent of their salaries toward health insurance. The move follows concessions by Salinas police. In April, the Police Officers Association voted to defer a 5 percent salary increase and agree to make 2.5 percent contributions to health insurance premiums. The fire fighters were not scheduled for a raise, so the concessions come out of their present salary.

Sacramento city firefighters vote to donate 5% raises to 'layoff relief fund'
The Sacramento Bee (05/18/09)
Sacramento city fire fighters have voted overwhelmingly to donate their 5 percent salary raises scheduled for next month to a "layoff relief fund" for comrades who lose their jobs in upcoming budget cuts. The vote was not an official endorsement for rejecting the city's budget-slashing proposal to delay the raises for fire fighters. However, the only situation in which fire fighters would get laid off is if members of their union – Sacramento Area Firefighters 522 – voted to reject the salary freeze. If they shoot the proposal down, 50 positions could be cut from the fire department.

Union willing to cut raises to avoid layoffs
Middletown Journal (05/17/09)
With public safety jobs at stake, the city firefighters’ union has proposed to forego raises next year, and a police union proposal may soon follow. The city clerk’s office sent out notice May 15, that City Council would meet for an open special session to consider possible changes to the city’s contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 20. In order to avoid layoffs, Hamilton fire fighters have offered to forego 3 percent raises in 2010 and give up a confined space rescue team, saving the city more than $420,000 by the end of next year, said Union President Eric Abney.

Labor battle brewing in Orlando over jobs, venues
Orlando Sentinel (05/16/09)
Labor unions fighting to avoid layoffs of Orlando police officers and fire fighters are taking aim at some big targets: the Magic arena, performing-arts center and Citrus Bowl stadium. Union leaders say there is plenty of money in the city's emergency reserve accounts — more than $100 million — that could be used to avoid laying off 33 police officers and 46 fire fighters. But, they claim, Mayor Buddy Dyer's administration doesn't want to dip into the city's reserves because that would hurt the city's ability to finance the new community venues. City administrators strenuously deny that the $1.1 billion plan for arts and sports facilities had anything to do with the announcement of a proposal to shed 342 positions — about two-thirds of them occupied — across the city work force. But they might have a tough time convincing taxpayers, many of whom were already skeptical of spending on the controversial venues. Both public safety unions and the union that represents more than 1,000 white-collar workers are considering bringing their case straight to Orlando residents by going door to door, picketing City Hall and broadcasting radio ads.

Firefighters: More layoffs coming
Tribune Chronicle (05/16/09)
Another 17 city fire fighters will receive layoff notices, according to firefighter union officials. Firefighter union officials said they were told the layoffs would take effect June 12. But city Safety-Service Director William '' Doug'' Franklin denied that statement, and said the meeting was held to discuss ways to save jobs. Franklin said it was meant to be part of ongoing discussions on ways to scale back the city's $1.5 million deficit. ''We just wanted to share information and give thoughts as to where we were," Franklin said. "We're pulling out everything we can to make this work. We don't want to lay off anyone. Employees around the city, including managers ... we are all going to be taking some (concessions).'' The fire department laid off 11 fire fighters due to financial issues in January and was told last month that unless it cuts $430,000 more, 15 additional fire fighters would be laid off. The city sent the Civil Service Commission a letter saying it would lay off more workers June 1. Franklin said the letter was a fiduciary and legal responsibility given the deficit.

Wilmington firefighters, police face layoffs
The News Journal (05/15/09)
Seventeen Wilmington police officers and eight fire fighters will be laid off July 1 unless their unions agree to forego raises in the next fiscal year. Two other municipal unions have agreed to work at their current salary levels during the fiscal year that starts July 1, but the police and fire unions have not, city Communications Director John Rago said. Mayor James M. Baker said there is still time for the police and fire unions to change their decisions, as City Council is not set to vote on the final budget until May 21. Baker will still keep the door open for the police and fire unions to change their position and help avoid layoffs. That didn't go over well with firefighters' union President Kevin Turner. The union was set to talk about Baker's request, but the meeting was canceled because two fires broke out.

Police officers, firefighters spared from job cuts
San Diego Union-Tribune (05/15/09)
Police officers and fire fighters will not be among the 27 employees whose jobs may be cut to close a $6.3 million budget gap, Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips says. Instead, Phillips said he plans to recommend cutting some non-sworn staff members in the police and fire departments, some managers and some non-uniformed personnel citywide. “There will be no police officers and fire fighters on the layoff list,” he said.
Phillips declined to elaborate, but said he plans to present a budget-balancing plan to the council June 10.

City's bond rating takes dive
Toledo Blade (05/14/09)
The bond rating agency Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Toledo's rating on its general obligation debt by one notch, from A3 to Baa1, and the city's financial outlook from stable to negative. City Councilman George Sarantou, chairman of council's finance committee, said the evaluation by Moody's underscores the city's troubled financial situation. He said he's been told it could cost Toledo $150,000 in additional interest.
The city has $125.4 million of general obligation debt and $47.8 million in nontax revenue debt. The four-page Moody's report blames its more pessimistic rating on the city's falling tax revenue, which is because of "unplanned idling at the Chrysler Jeep and GM Powertrain facilities as the domestic auto industry faced rapidly declining demand." It said the two employers are among the city's top 10 income tax producers. "Moody's believes that income tax revenues may continue to falter and even decline," the report said. Sarantou said the negative rating corroborates the city's revenue is affected by the weakened economy. The mayor is negotiating on a new three-year contract with the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, seeking a 10 percent pay cut, an end to the city's paying of the 10 percent employee pension contribution and a contribution toward the city's health insurance costs. The outcome of the pact could set the pattern for other city unions that have yet to settle. The patrolmen's association and Toledo Firefighters Local 92 met for several hours to hear a subpoenaed deposition of one of the University of Toledo professors who projected the city's 2009 tax revenue. The union contends the projection was too low. A lawyer for the patrolmen TPPA and Local 92, said he subpoenaed professor Oleg Smirnov because the city has rebuffed his requests for information since November.

Firefighters willing to freeze salaries, if others agree
Press Connects (05/14/09)
The head of the firefighters' union says he'd be willing to accept a wage freeze, if it meant avoiding layoffs. During a meeting with city council members, IAFF Local 729 President David Holleran also said the city's other employees unions would have to be willing to do the same. "The pain should be felt across the board," Holleran said. The meeting was the first of four sessions council will hold with the city's unions, aimed at combating Binghamton's lingering financial woes. Council Finance Chairwoman Teri Rennia, D-3rd District, said she would ask every city union to give up raises in 2010. In most cases, those raises have already been negotiated. The Binghamton Fire Department budget includes 132 members. But the number of active members is 120, discounting vacant positions and personnel on disability, Holleran said. If the fire fighters give up their scheduled 3.75 percent raises, it would save the city about $350,000 in salaries and benefits.

Tiffin fire, police unions offer concessions
Tiffin Advertiser Tribune (05/14/09)
When Tiffin City Council meets in special session, two memorandums of understanding are to be on the table. The Tiffin firefighters' union and the Tiffin police union are offering concessions to reduce the need for layoffs within their departments. Three fire fighters and three police officers who would have been laid off are to remain on duty if City Council approves the concessions this evening as expected. "I am grateful for what the unions have done," Tiffin Mayor Jim Boroff said. "They both have been magnanimous in their approach. It's a real demonstration on the part of the unions there that they are willing to make things work. They have the safety and welfare of Tiffin at heart. It's been a long process for everybody." George Morgan, vice president of firefighters Local 322, said the safety and welfare of Tiffin residents was a factor in the decision of his union to offer concessions. Preventing layoffs for union members also was key.

Firefighters agree to holiday pay cuts
River Forest News (05/14/09)
River Forest's outgoing Village Board accepted concessions from its firefighters' union, meaning no reduction in the department's force. Trustees Nancy Dillon, Patrick O'Brien and Susan Conti were joined by Village President Frank Paris in approving a side-letter agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 2391. Final approval is pending ratification by the union. In the side letter, the fire fighters agree to a reduction of their holiday pay on November 15, 2009, and again April 15, 2010. Cutting holiday pay will save the village an estimated $35,300 and is consistent with a reduction being agreed to by the fire lieutenants. There will be no reduction of fire personnel, including via attrition, while the letter is in affect, from May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010. The fire fighters reserve the right to re-open the agreement if the fire chief, deputy fire chief and village administrator get raises during this period.

Dyer straits: Orlando to lay off 100-plus emergency workers
Orlando Sentinel (05/13/09)
The Orlando government will cut its workforce by more than 10 percent -- some 342 positions, including more than 100 cops and fire fighters -- unless an unexpected tax windfall comes through in the coming weeks. The cuts would affect services to Orlando residents in ways big and small, from the elimination of holiday decorations and reduced litter cleanup to the number of emergency workers available to respond to 911 calls.
City officials began notifying employees whose jobs could be eliminated. Dozens of fire fighters were summoned with a 6:00 a.m. phone call to a department training center to get the news. Police officers were told around the same time. It's part of a wider effort by Mayor Buddy Dyer to plug a deficit in next year's budget projected at $40 million. Every city department would be cut by about 12 percent under Dyer's plan, which would take effect with the new budget year on October 1. The city would shed 342 jobs, including 120 vacant positions, to save $34 million. The police and fire departments are the city's biggest, and would lose the most workers.

Employees willing to "sacrifice" pay rather than undergo layoffs
Macon Telegraph (05/13/09)
City of Macon employees and others say that Mayor Robert Reichert’s proposal to furlough workers and take away paid holidays in the next budget year is preferable to layoffs. “Everybody’s got to take a dose of medicine,” said Johnny Wingers, director of the Emergency Management Agency. He said he was glad to make the sacrifice if it meant workers would not be let go. People around the world are being laid off, he said, but in Macon, “we got a job.” Reichert’s 2010 budget proposal includes furloughs for all nonessential personnel — the 600-700 people who are not sworn police officers, fire fighters or sanitation workers. They must take off half a day each pay period, the equivalent of a day per month. And every city employee would no longer be paid holidays. In all, Reichert estimates workers will lose 8 percent of their pay, and some may dip back below the poverty line.

Miami budget shortfall forces hiring freeze
Miami Herald (05/13/09)
A combination of overtime for Miami's public safety officers and lower than expected income from property taxes is leaving city coffers short this budget year. To overcome the shortfall, Miami adopted a hiring freeze and told salaried employees they can no longer take compensation days for working more than their 40-hour shifts.
And with an even tougher budget year expected to begin October 1, Chief Financial Officer Larry Spring couldn't promise layoffs are not in the city's future. ''We're trying to avoid just that,'' said Spring. "But next year is going to be a different scenario.'' Nearly all local governments, Miami included, are bracing for cuts next year. Miami's move to cut back spending during the current year shows how steep the economic slide has become, forcing cuts not anticipated when the budget year began last fall. City Manager Pete Hernandez told his department directors to immediately cut personal time off for the city's 4,560 employees. Asked if the freeze would be lifted when the budget year ends September 30, Spring said that's the goal. City leaders must also confront rising pension costs before the new budget year. City commissioners will vote on an administration proposal to boost fire rescue employee contributions from seven to eight percent into the pension plan. The move, which union president Robert Suarez said isn't controversial, would help offset increased pension costs to the city. Miami has 680 fire fighters. ''That was a contractual agreement we made that if costs went up, our contributions would go up,'' said Suarez.

45 Orlando Firefighters To Get The Ax
Central Florida 13 News (05/13/09)
The president of the Orlando Professional Firefighters' union says the layoff of 45 fire fighters "would be the end of the Orlando Fire Department." As of October 2, 46 fire fighters will be laid off and 20 of those fire fighters will not be replaced. According to President Steve Clelland of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1365, the cuts would be devastating. "They will not be able to deliver fire service," Clelland told News 13.

West asks Long Beach employees to forgo pay raises
Contra Costa Times (05/12/09)
City Manager Pat West is asking city employees to forgo scheduled pay raises or make other concessions to cut in half an expected $43.3 million general fund budget deficit in the 2010 fiscal year. "It pains me to recommend this approach, but the status of the national economy combined with increased costs to the city leave me with no choice," West said. Plummeting sales tax, property tax and other revenues, coupled with contractual pay raises for city employees, are overwhelming Long Beach's budget. The general fund is expected to take in $378.8 million in revenues for the 2010 fiscal year while expenses will hit $422.1 million. The general fund pays for basic services such as police, fire, libraries, street repairs and parks. To make up the difference, West wants to eliminate scheduled pay increases totaling $23 million for five employee unions. However, because the raises are contractual, each union would have to agree to the pay freezes. The city is separately negotiating contracts with four other employee unions that don't have scheduled pay hikes. Even after eliminating raises, the city will still have to cut approximately 6 percent from all general fund departments to make up the remaining $20.3 million deficit, West said. If police and fire departments were exempt from the cuts -- the council certainly has placed a high priority on public safety -- then the other departments would have to cut 18 percent. The police department makes up 48 percent of the current general fund, and the fire department budget is 18 percent of the general fund.

How much will city’s unions have to give?
Toledo Journal (05/12/09)
With Toledo facing a budget deficit of at least $21.3 million and time running short for closing it, it’s apparent that the city’s union workers must pitch in. Whether through salary cuts, paying toward their pensions and paying more toward health insurance – or a combination of all three – union concessions are the only remaining option for preventing Toledo from declaring bankruptcy and placing itself under state government control.
But how big should the givebacks be and for how long? Mayor Carty Finkbeiner months ago asked the unions, especially the police and fire department unions, to agree to a 12-month, 10 percent pay reduction. They balked, city council rejected the mayor’s demand that it unilaterally impose the pay cuts, and the administration has since laid off 75 police officers to cut costs. ''For a short period of time we’ve got to ask you to sacrifice,'' Mayor Finkbeiner said at a recent news conference, referring to the unions. ''And that keeps your brothers and sisters working.''

Muncie money woes may cost firefighters
WISH TV (05/12/09)
Muncie city leaders are looking at a multi-million dollar shortfall in their upcoming budget. The deficit means the city may cut some of its seven fire stations. "We're looking at closing a couple of fire stations, but some of that is still up in the air," said Dick Shirey, Muncie Deputy Mayor. Shirey is one of a number of city leaders struggling with how to provide police and fire services to their constituents with a lot less money. Property tax reform means millions less in the upcoming budget. "There was a lot of dialogue here," Deputy Mayor Shirey said. "But the mayor made the directive, ultimately, that police and fire both needed to take a million dollars out of their budget." Muncie Fire Chief Sean Burcham hopes the budget solution doesn't involve laying off fire fighters. "If we end up shutting a station down or shutting some stations down, we've got to stay within a five-minute response time for everybody's safety," said Chief Burcham. "I am very concerned about that."

St. Charles, firefighters reach tentative agreement on wage freeze
The Chronicle (05/12/09)
St. Charles fire fighter Stephen Dries might get to keep his job, after all. On Monday, April 20, Dries – who has been with the department less than a year – learned that he was going be let go August 1. This Monday, he very well might learn that he won't need to dread the coming of August 1. The City of St. Charles and the International Association of Firefighters Local 3322 have reached a tentative agreement on a wage freeze for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, according to a release from the city of St. Charles. In return, the city will agree not to lay off any fire fighters for the same time period, which would save Dries' job.

SC firefighters, city agree to wage freeze
The Beacon News (05/12/09)
The city and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 3322 have reached a tentative agreement on freezing wages for the next fiscal year. The City Council is slated to vote on the contract change. The agreement calls for the wage rates for fire fighters to remain at their current levels through the 2009-2010 fiscal year. In return, the city agrees not to lay off any fire fighters during that time.

Layoffs in Ann Arbor Fire Department could come early next year because of state revenue cuts
Ann Arbor News (05/12/09)
A reduction in state revenue could prompt Ann Arbor to lay off fire fighters early next year. City Administrator Roger Fraser recommended that City Council members wait until January to see whether they need to make the cut to offset the $257,281 reduction in state revenue. Fraser's two-year budget plan had called for eliminating 14 positions in the fire department in fiscal year 2010-11. If the move needs to be made earlier, Fraser said he'd recommend laying off nine fire fighters, taking one truck out of service. "Our approach in the coming year is to be extremely frugal," he said. The city will operate with a near hiring freeze, filling only the most critical positions, Fraser said.

Fatal Fire Raises Concerns About Firefighter Cuts
NBC 4 Columbus (05/11/09)
A seven-month-old girl and three-year-old boy were killed in an apartment fire and the children’s deaths are raising concerns there may not be enough fire fighters in this Central Ohio community. Two men ran inside the burning apartment building and were able to help rescue several other residents but were not able to save the two young children. As the economy worsens and cities tighten purse strings, locals are concerned that more fire fighters could face cuts, putting the safety of this community in jeopardy. Mayor Scott Schertzer said firefighter ranks have dropped in number over the past few years because of a dwindling economy. The fire chief said thousands of medical-emergency calls a year can lead to weaker numbers in some spots of the city.

Clifton Firefighters Save Jobs
myfoxny (05/10/09)
Clifton, New Jersey, fire fighters are used to saving lives -- and they also save jobs. They're giving up paychecks so the city can rehire 12 fire fighters who were laid off earlier this year. Tough negotiations between the city and the firefighters' union ended with an agreement to work two weeks without pay to save money for the city. One week will be at the end of this month; the second week in October.

No layoffs in Findlay after police, firefighters agree to concessions
Toledo Blade (05/08/09)
City fire fighters have agreed to a long list of concessions to avoid the layoff of 11 fire fighters, union officials said. A tentative agreement that will save jobs in Findlay’s police department was also reached between the city and its police union. Thirteen police officers were to have been laid off. Members of Findlay Firefighters Local 381 agreed to wage cuts averaging 12.66 percent. They will take 72 unpaid hours off yet this year and work holidays without extra pay, among other concessions. "The fire fighters in Findlay are proud of what they do and are overly concerned with the ramifications of cuts to safety," Matt Cooper, union president, said in a statement.

Recognizing city's financial crunch, Riverside firefighters delay raise
Press-Enterprise (05/08/09)
Riverside City firefighters' union members approved changes to their contract, agreeing to defer for one year a 2 percent raise scheduled for July 1, Captain Tim Strack, the union president, said. In exchange, the city will extend the contract for one year, through June 30, 2011, and will not decrease staffing at fire stations during that time, he said. Assistant City Manager Tom DeSantis confirmed the terms. The union represents about 215 members. Strack said the union could see that the city's declining revenues meant possible layoffs that would hurt the fire department's ability to respond to emergencies. So the union approached the city about the tradeoff. "They were very responsive," he said. "There was no battle over this." The city estimates the deal will save about $500,000 in fiscal year 2009-2010, according to a staff report to the City Council.

Palo Alto firefighters offer to delay raises; police could be next
San Jose Mercury News (05/08/09)
Palo Alto's fire fighters are offering to put off by a year a scheduled pay raise, a move that would save the city $700,000 as it tries to make up a $10 million budget deficit in 2010. Tony Spitaleri, president of the firefighters' union, announced to the Palo Alto City Council's finance committee that the rank and file had voted to authorize him to make that concession. Union leaders must still negotiate a final agreement with city staff. If accepted, the proposal could spare the fire department from deep service cuts as city officials work through the budget. Both fire fighters and police have come under scrutiny from officials and residents because their union contracts call for raises at a time when other city services are being cut. Under a deal that runs through summer 2010, the fire fighters were scheduled to receive a 4 percent salary increase next year. Fire captains were to get a 5 percent bump. City Manager Jim Keene said he's hoping for a similar offer from the police officers union, whose members are in line for a 6 percent raise next year. Deferring that raise would save the city another $800,000.

Union Agrees to Forgo Cost-of-Living Raise
The Washington Post (05/06/09)
The union representing Montgomery County's career fire fighters said that it has agreed to forgo a 4 percent cost-of-living pay raise as part of an agreement to help close the county's more than $550 million budget shortfall for fiscal 2010. Under the deal reached with County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), fire fighters join Montgomery's teachers, police officers and other government workers in giving up cost-of-living raises. Before Leggett released his budget blueprint in March, fire fighters had agreed to defer, but not give up, cost-of-living raises. Leggett was worried that the deferral of one union's raises would unwind the deals struck with other employee unions, and he decided not to fund the raises in his budget. A labor relations referee sided with Leggett's move after his decision was challenged by the fire fighters. Under the new agreement, the two parties will ask the labor relations administrator to vacate his March decision, and if the request is granted, the union will drop its appeal. Another element of the deal requires shared sacrifice. Leggett and his appointed senior managers must also give up pay raises. Leggett's salary would have risen in December by $4,000, to $175,000.

Salinas Firefighters Face Pay Cuts
KION 46 News (05/06/09)
The latest round of pay cuts in Salinas are aimed directly at the city's fire department. The Salinas Firefighters Association and the Firefighters Supervisor Association are in negotiations with the city, which is facing a more than $12 million budget deficit. In the last few months, Salinas police bargaining groups agreed to pay cuts. City council members met with the fire fighter bargaining groups in a closed session. Salinas City Manager Artie Fields released few details about the negotiations, only saying they are asking fire fighters for a 7.5 percent cut in salary and benefits. Fields said they're looking at different proposals. He said the city is hoping to save about $900,000 or a $1 million with this concession. Fields said layoffs could also be a possibility because everything is still on the table at this point, but adds that he is "optimistic about finding a solution that both benefits the city and the labor groups."

Goodyear firefighters union makes $150K concession
AZ Central (05/05/09)
Goodyear fire fighters have volunteered to share the city's financial burden. The United Goodyear Firefighters union will give up about $150,000 in holiday pay and uniform allowances next fiscal year as the city tries to close a $13.9 million budget gap in the fiscal year that starts July 1. "It's a tremendous contribution to the city and to the community," City Manager John Fischbach said. Starting in July, fire fighters working holidays such as Thanksgiving will receive regular hourly pay instead of time-and-a-half. They also will get a $1,000 uniform allowance for the year -- half the current allowance. The city expects to save $150,000. The firefighters' union estimates it will be nearly $164,000. The fire fighters suggested the cuts after Fischbach asked employee associations for ideas on how to save money.

California may cut nearly 2,000 firefighters
KGO-TV San Francisco (05/05/09)
With summer starting after another year of drought, fire fighters could be badly needed. Just in time for fire season, Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order to boost the state's emergency preparedness with more tools and fire fighters. He urged Californians to approve the special election ballot measures that'll give CAL Fire, among other state agencies, the money it needs. "I don't like to use scare tactics or anything like this, but fire protection, without any doubt, will suffer if those measures fail on May 19," said Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger (R) California. With most of the propositions currently unpopular with voters, the Governor has already prepped fire fighter unions and chiefs on the worst case scenario if the measures go down in flames. About $81 million would be slashed from CAL Fire's budget, eliminating more than 600 full-time and 1,100 seasonal fire fighters.

SLO firefighters union accepts zero percent pay increase
San Luis Obispo Tribune (05/05/09)
The city of San Luis Obispo has extracted an agreement from its firefighters' union to accept a zero percent pay increase this year, as the city faces a fiscal shortfall of $10 million annually. “We’ve always been willing to participate in helping the city on economic issues,” said Erik Baskin, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3523, which represents the 44 fire fighters and fire prevention inspectors in the city. The City Council is meeting in executive session this evening to discuss the possibility of establishing zero percent increases with its various associations and unions. The managers’ group has already agreed to zero percent increase for next year, as have the fire fighters. Agreements with other unions and associations could not be confirmed. The fire fighters had already adopted a multi-year contract and were expected to get another 5 percent increase in July. But Baskin said the union membership has agreed to a zero percent increase in July, and delayed the 5 percent until next year.

Governor threatens cuts to firefighters
San Francisco Chronicle (05/05/09)
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to seek the elimination of more than 1,700 state fire fighting positions and closure of scores of fire stations if voters reject key ballot measures in the May 19 special election. Schwarzenegger's proposal involves slashing $80.8 million from CAL Fire's spending plan -- a 10 percent reduction -- by eliminating 602 full-time positions and 1,100 seasonal fire fighting positions. The cuts would be part of a series of deep cuts to the state budget. CAL Fire, the state's fire agency, has about 5,000 full-time fire fighters. At the peak of last year's fire season, more than 2,700 wildfires ravaged the state and the agency hired extra help: 3,000 seasonal fire fighters. The plan would also shutter 11 conservation camps and 20 single-engine stations throughout California.

Furloughs for firefighters, police concern councilors
Tulsa World (05/03/09)
A first glance at Mayor Kathy Taylor's proposed $578 million budget has some city councilors concerned about the extent of the included four-day, unpaid employee furloughs. Taylor told the council during her budget presentation that in order for the furlough program to save $2.5 million for the general fund, all city employees must participate. Councilors must review, make any changes to and approve the budget before July 1, which is the start of the next fiscal year. Councilor Bill Christiansen said he thought all police officers and fire fighters should be exempt from the furloughs or anything that would be financially equivalent. "As much as I'd hate to, I'd rather lay off additional non-public safety employees, quite frankly," he said, adding that the mayor's office has several high-paid employees.

Tempe declares 'fiscal crisis' to open firefighters union contract
The Arizona Republic (05/02/09)
For what appears to be the first time in Tempe history, the city is declaring a "fiscal crisis" to force open its contract with the Tempe Firefighters' Union. City Manager Charlie Meyer's April 14 letter to Rich Woerth, Tempe Firefighters Union president, stated that to address its $34.5 million budget gap Tempe is exercising the "fiscal-crisis" clause in its contract with the union. The contract was scheduled to reopen for negotiations next spring. To open the contract early under that clause, Tempe must show that if a loss of revenues or legal issue is not dealt with in the budget year, Tempe fire fighters will be laid off or there will be severe cuts to services provided Tempe residents.

Firefighters assail layoffs as dangerous for Warren
Vindy.com (05/02/09)
Fire fighters marched in front of City Hall to protest cuts in staffing that some fire fighters say led to critical injuries of a Warren police officer and three residents in a group-home fire.

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