Union: Half of IL City's Firefighters Laid Off
Source Firehouse.com News
The union representing Harvey firefighters said the city's financial crisis has left 18 firefighters without jobs.
"The city has laid off 18 firefighters, half the department is gone! Prayers for the citizens and families of those laid off," the Harvey IAFF Local 471 posted on their Facebook page.
According to WGNTV.com, 13 other employees were also laid off, but city officials have yet to confirm any of the layoffs.
“We have formed a bond with this city and we’ve put our hearts and lives on the line for this city for years,” five-year firefighter Nick Capolillo told the television station. “My wife is due to give birth this weekend, health insurance concern aside from financial ramifications."
Two of the firefighters had 18 years on the job, and were only two years away from being eligible for their pension, the television station reported.
The reduction in staffing will leave three to five firefighters per shift to cover calls in Harvey and Dixmoor.
Rumors of layoffs started after the state comptroller ordered the city to pay the police and fire pension fund, or face budget cuts from the state.
Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg told the comptroller's office that they would have to make layoffs in order to fund the pension program.
