Firefighters to Receive $94 Million in Back Pay

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 9, 2011 3:33PM

City Council approved a contract Monday to give firefighters and paramedics a total of $94 million in back pay dating back 3-1/2 years. But the back pay is bankrolled by bonds in a "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul" move.

Civic Federation President Laurence Msall expressed grave reservations about using bonds to fund the back pay. “It’s similar to borrowing to pay for last year’s groceries. It demonstrates a failure to plan and leave aside adequate funds” for an expense the city was aware of well in advance. The City Council's Finance Committee expressed similar reservations in bringing the measure before a full Council vote today.

The new contract calls for a 10 percent pay raise over five years in exchange for manpower changes that will help reduce city overtime costs. If approved, firefighters and paramedics will receive back pay checks ranging from $5,000 to $8,000.