Sacramento City Council Approves Firefighters' Contract Concessions

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- The Sacramento City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to approve the contract concessions offered by Sacramento city firefighters, according to a press release from the firefighters association.

For the third straight year, firefighters will forgo a 5 percent raise that was negotiated in 2008. In addition, firefighters will contribute 6 percent of their salary to to their pensions to reduce the city's retirement burden.

These contract concessions will restore Rescue, HAZMAT, and Boat Rescue operations, according to the firefighters association.

Also, one fire company will be reopened, reducing the total number of daily company closures from four to three.

"These concessions were offered by firefighters in an effort to minimize the negative impact that the reduced number of fire companies have on the citizens of Sacramento every day," said Chris Andrew, director for the Sacramento Area Firefighters.

"Firefighters have once again shown their ongoing commitment to keeping Sacramento citizens safe. This agreement allows us all to focus on the long-term issue of providing adequate fire and emergency medical services for Sacramento," said Ryan Henry, director of Sacramento Firefighters.