Item: Fire chiefs to get raises despite layoff concerns: Council members say options limited: agree to raises or face arbitration/Jim Camden, SR

More Info: Spokane city fire battalion chiefs will get raises over the next four years, despite concerns by some City Council members that the economy is forcing taxpayers to take cuts or face layoffs. The Spokane City Council was told Monday that it had little choice but to give members of the Spokane Association of Fire Officers – the union that represents 10 battalion chiefs – raises negotiated in collective bargaining sessions. If the council refused, the city could be accused of bad-faith bargaining and facing binding arbitration, said Gita Hatcher, who represented the city in negotiations.

Question: What do you think of Spokane battalion fire chiefs getting raises in such a bad economy?