CHICO -- Chico's city firefighters will give up raises for the next two years, going beyond the cuts sought to balance the city budget.

Fire union president Bill Hack said Friday the union is willing to go without raises for 2009 and 2010, in addition to decreasing starting salaries by 5 percent.

The fire union's contract currently calls for firefighters to receive a 4 percent raise each of those years. City negotiators have been working to reduce cost-of-living increases for all eight of its employee groups down to 1 percent a year for the next two years.

"We understand the financial situation the city is in," Hack said. "We can't in good faith contemplate raises when they are decreasing fire department and police staff or emergency essential services."

 

Link to full article in the Chico Enterprise Record:   http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_10694691