San Jose police, firefighters tell Mayor Reed 'no' on pay cut
While five of San Jose's unions have agreed to concessions in the face of layoffs, the firefighters and police unions have not come to an agreement with the city. The unions had until Monday evening to agree to cuts in wages and benefits that the city says they need to close a $118.5 million budget deficit. The Mayor says that without an agreement from the firefighters and police, hundreds of workers will be laid off. While a city official said that a last-minute deal was possible, the City Council would have to reopen the budget, which will be approved today. The firefighters and police have the right to take any bargaining impasses to outside arbitrators, a right other city unions do not have. As spokesman doe the firefighters said that they hoped they would be able to come to some agreement. The new budget will take effect on July 1.
See "San Jose police, firefighters tell Mayor Reed 'no' on pay cut", Tracy Seipel, San Jose Mercury News, June 21, 2010