EMPLOYMENT LAW: San Jose Police and Firefighter’s Unions Rejects Pay and Benefit Cuts

June 22, 2010

San Jose – Possible layoffs in the San Jose force is now looming after Police and Firefighter unions in the city rejected the proposed pay and benefit cuts.

As a result of the disagreement in the pay cuts, the city council may be forced to pass a budget that will include layoffs.

The 10 percent cuts in pay and benefits were proposed by Mayor Chuck Reed to avoid more layoffs and save the city about $14 million.

The unions representing firefighters, police, custodians and other city workers were given until last Monday to agree to the proposal.

Most of the unions representing the city’s workers have agreed in principle to the proposed cuts with five of those smaller unions confirming it last Monday.

However, the police and firefighters union rejected the proposal and it looks like the layoffs is the alternative left to balance the city’s $118 million budget.

The council has already approved the concessions for the five labor unions including those who represent senior analysts and program managers, electrical workers, engineers and architects, maintenance assistants, and superintendents and building service supervisors last Tuesday.

There is no word yet if any agreement can still be reached with the police and firefighter’s union.