By Jodi Rogstad
The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Up to 10 firefighters would be eligible for a $20,000 buyout package under the fire union’s renegotiated contract with the city.
Between now and the end of the next budget year, the city would not fill four fire department jobs.
Lt. Jon Narva, union president of Cheyenne Professional Fire Fighters Local 279, said this new agreement means that the firefighters were the first among the city ranks “to step up with manpower cuts.”
He said the fire department was accused by some council members and non-union employees for not shouldering its share of the burden in the city’s budget crises.
“I just hope everyone who pointed a finger at us now steps forward and acknowledges the cuts the firefighters are making for the good of everyone,” Narva said in a news release.
However, if no one takes the voluntary buyouts or leaves on their own accord, the city will not lay off firefighters to reach that new maximum staffing level of 88.
Already, when they retire, all firefighters get $300 a month until they turn 65 to offset health-care costs. Non-union city employees — including police officers — do not get that same benefit.
Mayor Rick Kaysen said having four fewer firefighters would save the city $406,706, but buyouts could cost the city as much as $200,000. He said Friday the renegotiated contract would bring the city close to its original objective of saving $120,000 for the remainder of this budget year.
“One of the key elements of this agreement is that we certainly are not going to lessen our level of response to emergencies with the reduction,” Kaysen said. “That was very important to the city and the firefighters union.”
The Cheyenne City Council will have to vote on this new contract, which would end June 30, 2011.
The city has been trying to navigate its way out of a budget crisis that some say could result in a $3 million revenue shortfall this budget year.
The city and fire union have been negotiating for the past two months. Earlier, Narva said he was seeking buyout packages for eligible retirees because the city was offering these to non-union employees.
The city is paying for $30,000 incentive packages for up to 30 non-union employees.
Among those, three have retired so far. Kaysen said several others are pending, but he has no head count; they have until March 11 to change their minds.
Also in the new agreement, the fire union agreed to forego their annual wellness physicals. Narva said these are comprehensive exams that cost about $600 and check lung function and include blood work, among other things.
Firefighters also are giving up an additional match of up to $25 that the city offers toward employees’ retirement plans and the $450-a-year uniform allowance.
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