Public employees in Portland, Maine were asked by the city manager to forego wage increases in an attempt to avoid a tax increase on residents this year.
The city specifically asked all of its unions to freeze wages to help deal with a projected budget shortfall of almost $1.5 million.
Firefighters were asked to skip a 2.5 percent wage increase they are due to receive on July 1st. In exchange, city manager Joe Gray said that all the unions and employees who accepted a wage freeze would not be fired.
So for firefighters, the choice was whether to accept current wages (and not get a 2.5 percent wage increase on July 1), and save nine firefighter positions; or, get the raise but see the nine jobs disappear.
As reported by the Press Herald, the firefighters unanimously chose to get the raise. (Just wondering, were the nine firefighers who are losing their jobs part of this unanimous vote?)
With thousands of Mainers losing their jobs and being unable to find other work, or being forced to work less and take pay cuts, or agree to reduced wages or benefits (or both), city firefighters can’t see fit to forego a 2.5 percent wage increase? Are you kidding me?
The nine firefighters who will lose their jobs have my sympathy. Those firefighters who unanimously voted to get their wage increase, do not.
One thing you have to say about Portland firefighters, they sure know how to look out for #1.
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