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A total of 68 firefighters are scheduled to be laid off during the first week of July, assistant city manager Gus Vina said on Tuesday.

Mayor Kevin Johnson told reporters Tuesday that the Sacramento City Council did not accept the latest tentative deal with Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522. Since the firefighters and city managers did not reach a labor agreement, the city plans to go through with its plan to lay off 68 firefighters. The firefighter layoffs are part of the city's budget cuts.

"This is a setback, but the world doesn't stop here," Johnson told reporters Tuesday night.

The city also did not arrive at a deal with Stationary Engineers Local 39, according to Vina. This means that about 200 city workers who are represented by Local 39 will be laid off. The workers who will be laid off will receive pay through July 3. Their last day of work will be July 2, said acting city spokeswoman Wendy Klock-Johnson.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

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jsf8278

June 23, 2009 | 8:02 PM

Interesting that the firefighter's union is more concerned with keeping as much of their abnormally high salary as possible than they are saving jobs amongst their ranks.
Firefighters and police are always so quick to point out that they have tough jobs and serve the public interest. Yet, when it comes time to really serve the public interest, when times get tough, they would rather have the city lay off workers than take a pay cut.
Only in government employment is this actually acceptable. The ones at the top that make the most and do the least are always the least willing to help out when times are tough.

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savemidtown

June 23, 2009 | 9:57 PM

The world stops here if it's your house on fire Mr. Johnson. Several years ago my aparment building caught fire from a bottle rocket. Firefighters arrived in two minutes and saved all but two apartments. Quick response saves lives and property. If you think first responders make too much money, be sure to tell the firefighters who come to save your home or the paramedic who gives you CPR when you crash your car - they make too much. Most of us wouldn't last an hour in these jobs. Firefighters are fast, professional and well worth the money. So much for the promises of better public safety.

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thsas

June 24, 2009 | 2:21 PM

Yet we are in a recession, and salary levels are receeding everywhere. Why are they immune to the natural and predictable changes in the economy?

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Oracle

June 24, 2009 | 9:13 AM

Good work city of Sacramento! The greed and selfishness of the firefighters union has been astounding. Props to Mayor Johnson. The city should give the same treatment to Local 39 if they don't agree to take a hit too. These aren't the times to be demanding anything.

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TotalDerelict

June 24, 2009 | 9:17 AM

Me'n Big Juicy is signin up for the waitin' list. We wanna be firefiters once they start hirin agin. 3 squares an a bed sounds good! Why was they complainin?

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waldorfandstatler

June 24, 2009 | 10:28 AM

Hey it could be a lot worse!

in related union news.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090622/ap_on_re_us/us_rubber_rooms

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Ali Tabatabai

June 24, 2009 | 3:46 PM

Time to stock up on fire extinguishers.

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Casey Kirk

June 24, 2009 | 7:20 PM

Perhaps the union did not realize the reality of their situation. Maybe after jobs are cut and they see their former coworkers struggling to support their families because they are jobless they will change their minds.

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William Burg

June 24, 2009 | 9:44 PM

Either that or the mayor didn't realize the reality of their situation...

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HiStandRd

June 26, 2009 | 10:25 PM

The union does realize the reality of their situation. They are involved in a contentious and negative relationship with their employer. There is considerable distrust on the union side and here is just some of the reason why: The city entered into the current contract with the firefighters last year with full knowledge of the projected 2010 deficit. In fact the projection was $8 million higher than the actual one. At the time, the city council endorsed the agreement unanimously. Mayor Fargo and others are quoted as saying the contract costs were already budgeted. Even Candidate Johnson endorsed the deal. Despite all of that, seven months ago, the city decided to rework the contract. A reasonable course given the financial times, but what isn't reasonable is the city dictating the terms of the new deal without compromise. The firefighters offered the raise back several different ways, but were spurned. It was the city's way or else. This is my reference - sourced originally from the Bee:

http://westcoast911.com/wp/2008/04/30/city-expected-to-increase-sacramento-firefighter-salaries/

Finally, firefighters - the ones still employed - have established a fund to fully support the laid off firefighters for at least a year. As with most things, it is not as simple as it seems.

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