FIREFIGHTERS APPROVE DEAL, TAKE 5% PAY CUT FOR 30 MONTHS TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY, ENSURE FIREFIGHTERS STAY ON THE JOB AND FIREHOUSES REMAIN OPEN THROUGH 2010

SACRAMENTO – Tonight Sacramento city firefighters joined Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Councilmember Lauren Hammond at a press conference to announce that firefighters had approved a deal to cut their own pay by 5% for 30 months in exchange for no firefighter layoffs for one year. This deal will save the city of Sacramento more than $10 million.

“Throughout this process, firefighters have worked to protect public safety,” said firefighter David Dolson. “Sacramento City firefighters have chosen to sacrifice their own salaries to ensure that firefighters remain on the job and firehouses remain open. Though it’s been an arduous and sometimes frustrating negotiating process, we’re all glad to be able to move forward and focus on keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

“We’re thrilled that Sacramento City firefighters and the City have reached an agreement that serves the people of Sacramento,” said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. “I am committed to ensuring that firefighters remain on the job and that our neighborhoods remain safe.”

“I’m proud to have helped broker a deal with Sacramento firefighters to protect 68 firefighters threatened by layoffs,” said Councilmember Lauren Hammond. “We’re all better off when firefighters are working to protect our community and our neighborhood firehouses are open. Now we can move forward and celebrate the 4th of July knowing that we’ve done the right thing for the city of Sacramento.”

The Sacramento Fire Department budget has been chronically underfunded for years. Most cities spend about two-thirds of the budget on public safety, while Sacramento spends just over 50%, and the consequences are devastating. Sacramento has about 40% more fires than similar-sized cities, and a fire death rate that exceeds the state average.

Sacramento city firefighters are among the lowest paid in the state, making significantly less than their counterparts in Fresno and Stockton. Because of the current budget cuts, neighborhood firehouses are being closed on a daily basis. Recently, two firefighters were injured in a neighborhood where the local firehouse was closed because it took them longer to respond to the crisis and the danger had escalated.

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NOTE: Mayor Kevin Johnson and Councilwoman Lauren Hammond to Join Firefighters For Announcement At Fire Station #5 (8th Street & Broadway, 5pm)