Attorneys for the state of New Jersey and the Atlantic City firefighters union will meet twice this month for court-approved mediation sessions in an effort to resolve a host of issues including salary cuts and layoffs.
The Press of Atlantic City reports that both parties were back in court Wednesday as Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez reviewed state-proposed staffing and salary cuts for the city's fire department in an ongoing feud between IAFF Local 198 and the Garden State.
In December, Mendez ruled to delay a second round of budget cuts in order to hear the department's injunction request. In March 2017, Mendez allowed the state to make changes to the union contract, including hourly scheduling and health coverage along with a 25 percent cut in staff and 20 percent cut in pay.
The state, which took over the city's finances in November 2016, is looking to cut another 11.3 percent out of the department's budget, which would result in 10 to 12 layoffs and reduce staffing to 180 firefighters.
IAFF Local 198 attorney Megan Mechak argued that the proposed second round of salary cuts would cause "irreparable harm" to firefighters and their families, and cause issues with public safety.
Since 2010, the Atlantic City Fire Department has shrunk by 82 members through attrition and previous layoffs.
