City seeks firefighters to accept buyout
YOUNGSTOWN — At least nine firefighters must take an early- retirement buyout from the city for it to take effect.
But the head of the firefighters’ union isn’t sure that many of his members will take the deal.
“If it’s lower, we’ll talk with city administrators” about reducing the minimum number, said David Cook, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 312, which represents Youngstown’s firefighters.
Between nine and 12 firefighters are expected to take the buyout, said city Finance Director David Bozanich.
The agreement states the buyout won’t be offered unless at least nine firefighters agree to it.
Cook said he’ll know in about two weeks how many firefighters will take the buyout.
Those accepting the deal would be off the city payroll by late October or early November.
The buyout for those taking it would be a year’s base salary given in five equal installments annually, beginning in April 2010. Twenty city firefighters took the same deal last year.
The city will save money by replacing veteran firefighters, who average $58,000 in annual base salary alone, with rookies who’ll earn $24,000 in annual base salary to start.
The firefighters union agreed to base-pay freezes for the final two years of its contract, retroactive to Sept. 1.
“We’re looking at ways to protect our own,” Cook said. “Firefighters have taken the biggest hit statewide, nationwide and in our region with the economic” downturn.
The estimated savings for the buyouts is about $250,000 in 2010 and $200,000 in 2011, Bozanich said.
Even with the buyouts and other cuts made by the city, including layoffs, its general fund is expected to finish this year with a deficit of more than $1 million. City officials say the 2010 deficit is significantly more than $1 million, but they haven’t given a figure.
skolnick@vindy.com