Auburn’s planned budget cuts could hit a wall inside the fire department, according to The Citizen. City councilors said firefighter union contracts contain language that bars the city from eliminating positions because of budget problems.
Councilor Craig Diego pointed to agreements covering firefighters and assistant fire chiefs that require minimum staffing levels and prevent vacancies or layoffs tied to economic conditions. He criticized past city leaders for approving the contracts while the city now faces an 8% spending cut.
Fire Chief Mark Fritz previously warned that up to nine firefighter jobs could disappear under the proposed budget plan. City officials said union negotiations continue ahead of the contracts expiring in June, and leaders could still reach a separate agreement to allow cuts.
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