Sept. 30--Nearly half of Hamtramck's firefighters will be laid off Monday as the city seeks to cut costs, the union said today.
Twelve firefighters will be laid off, or 44% of the city's fire suppression division, according to a statement released by the Hamtramck Firefighters Local 750. The department employs 27 firefighters, not including the chief and the fire marshal, said William Diamond, president of Local 750.
City Manager Kyle Tertzag could not be reached for comment.
Diamond said the layoffs were originally scheduled to take place earlier this month, but the city postponed the cuts in anticipation that the city could receive a federal grant of $1.25 million a year for two years.
However, the city decided it would take the grant -- if it is offered -- but only if the firefighters union agreed to concessions, Diamond said. The union recently voted against the concessions -- such as paying above the cap in the contract for health insurance, Diamond said.
"We would take concessions just not all the ones on table," he said.
The city has not received notification about the grant.
On Sunday the city stated in an email response that the layoffs would occur as scheduled, Diamond said.
The layoffs are scheduled to take effect at noon.
Contact Chastity Pratt Dawsey: 313-223-4537 or [email protected]
Copyright 2012 - Detroit Free Press
