EFR approves offering buyouts to firefighters
November 18, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
By J.B. Wogan
Eastside Fire & Rescue might try to entice highly-paid, longtime employees to take a buyout option if layoffs become a real possibility for the 2010 budget.
The EFR board approved using buyouts to reduce labor costs, though Finance Chief Dave Gray cautioned against reading too much into its implications.
“Because they approved it doesn’t mean that it’s in play,” Gray said. “Officially, it’s just a tool.”
Members of EFR’s administration cannot take advantage of the buyout — it only applies to employees represented in the firefighter and battalion chief labor agreements.
Also, the bill passed by the board would only allow three employees to take advantage of the buyout option.
Those employees would be able to leave EFR and receive up to $12,000 from the agency.
Gray said a buyout option could result in cost savings if the agency replaced employees who have high salaries and large amounts of vacation time.
The bill appears to have come up in anticipation of budget discussions in December regarding EFR’s expenses.
The board will have to address a $548,557 shortfall, and the buyouts might be part of the solution.
To ease the financial pressure on its partner cities, the EFR administration proposed asking for a zero percent increase in partner contributions.
In the case of Sammamish, that would mean the city setting aside about $5.3 million for fire protection, roughly the same amount as last year.
While contributions would be flat, the cost of labor is rising in 2010. Firefighters are asking for a 1.5 percent raise.
In addition, their medical and dental insurance benefits are going to increase at 13 percent and 11 percent, respectively.
To balance the budget, EFR staff proposed dipping into reserve funds and equipment replacement funds.
Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Griffin said the staff is also working with the local firefighters union to see if there are ways to cut costs through the firefighters’ labor agreement.
If those options don’t cover the shortfall, EFR could explore layoffs.
The buyout option passed Nov. 10 would probably become a tool if layoffs were on the table, Gray said.
The EFR board approved the buyout option 6-1, with Sammamish representative Nancy Whitten dissenting. Whitten said she was afraid the buyout option would amount to handouts to employees who would be retiring soon anyway.
The board will not pass the expenditure side until Dec. 8.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
New: Nov. 18, 11:36 a.m.
Eastside Fire & Rescue might try to entice highly-paid, longtime employees to take a buyout option if layoffs become a real possibility for the 2010 budget.
The EFR board approved using buyouts to reduce labor costs, though Finance Chief Dave Gray cautioned against reading too much into its implications.
“Because they approved it doesn’t mean that it’s in play,” Gray said. “Officially, it’s just a tool.”
Members of EFR’s administration cannot take advantage of the buyout — it only applies to employees represented in the firefighter and battalion chief labor agreements.
Also, the bill passed by the board would only allow three employees to take advantage of the buyout option.
Those employees would be able to leave EFR and receive up to $12,000 from the agency.
Gray said a buyout option could result in cost savings if the agency replaced employees who have high salaries and large amounts of vacation time.
The bill appears to have come up in anticipation of budget discussions in December regarding EFR’s expenses.
The board will have to address a $548,557 shortfall, and the buyouts might be part of the solution.
To ease the financial pressure on its partner cities, the EFR administration proposed asking for a zero percent increase in partner contributions.
In the case of Sammamish, that would mean the city setting aside about $5.3 million for fire protection, roughly the same amount as last year.
While contributions would be flat, the cost of labor is rising in 2010. Firefighters are asking for a 1.5 percent raise.
In addition, their medical and dental insurance benefits are going to increase at 13 percent and 11 percent, respectively.
To balance the budget, EFR staff proposed dipping into reserve funds and equipment replacement funds.
Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Griffin said the staff is also working with the local firefighters union to see if there are ways to cut costs through the firefighters’ labor agreement.
If those options don’t cover the shortfall, EFR could explore layoffs.
The buyout option passed Nov. 10 would probably become a tool if layoffs were on the table, Gray said.
The EFR board approved the buyout option 6-1, with Sammamish representative Nancy Whitten dissenting. Whitten said she was afraid the buyout option would amount to handouts to employees who would be retiring soon anyway.
The board will not pass the expenditure side until Dec. 8.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Eastside Fire & Rescue
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