September 22, 2009 in City

Council OKs firefighters’ plan to ward off layoffs

City will help cover health care for those who retire early
Jonathan Brunt jonathanb@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5442
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Tags: Spokane City Council Spokane Fire Department

The Spokane Fire Department will avoid layoffs thanks to an early retirement plan approved unanimously Monday by the Spokane City Council.

Council members praised the Spokane Firefighters Union for what they called a “creative” solution to erase the 2010 deficit in the Fire Department’s budget without reducing employee compensation.

Under the deal, the city will compensate firefighters who retire early to help cover medical expenses for up to eight years until they qualify for Medicare.

The agreement allows 20 firefighters to retire by the end of the year and be eligible for the new benefit. An additional 10 can retire …

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