Fresno Firefighters Provide Win-Win for City, Members
Fresno Firefighters Local 753 has much to celebrate. They have helped the City of Fresno close its $3 million budget shortfall and given more back to their members.
For the next 24 months, starting August 4, Fresno Firefighters agreed to a 2.5% salary concession, if the City would extend their contract for one more year. It will save the city an estimated $660,000 each year. Their contract now carries them through July 1, 2013.
The contract extension includes the following terms for their members:
• They were able to keep their 2% raise on January 1, 2012
• The City will pick up 2% of their pension contribution on July 1, 2012.
• If members want to cash out holiday time, they can cash in 13 hours a month, starting August 2013
• After August 4, 2013, Fresno firefighters will get their 2.5% salary concession back.
"It's a little light at the end of the tunnel," said Fresno Firefighters Local 753 President Jerry Smith, who has been meeting with city officials for the past five months to help provide some solutions for the city's budget gap.
