The union representing Sacramento city firefighters announced Wednesday they will file charges against the city for unfair bargaining practices, including union domination, interference and surface bargaining, which included failing to meet and confer in good faith.
Sacramento firefighter Chris Harvey said the the union thought they had a worked out a deal with city officials. “We were offering to save them $5 million in one year,” he said.
Tuesday night, the city rejected the firefighters’ offer to accept a pay freeze in exchange for an assurance that no firefighters would be laid off for one year. Without a compromise in place, more than 68 firefighters will be out of a job starting July 2.
“This is going to happen right before one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year,” said Harvey. “We’re going to have stations close we’re going to have fire engines that normally run with four fighters running with three firefighters which is below industry standards.”
Sacramento city officials declined to comment on the planned lawsuit on Wednesday saying they had not seen any documentation. However, after Tuesday’s city council meeting Mayor Kevin Johnson said the firefighter’s one year deal was too shortsighted.
Johnson said he wanted the firefighters to accept the same three-year deal the city negotiated with police officers.
Harvey said the Sacramento Fire Department budget has been chronically underfunded for years. He said most cities spend about two-thirds of the budget on public safety, while Sacramento spends just over 50 percent.
Story by News10
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