The firefighters claim their union leaders and Mayor Thomas Menino promised that they would be entitled to sick leave redemption pay that they never received, according to the suit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court.
They retired after July 1, 1999, when a work contract expired, but before a new collective bargaining agreement was signed, on Sept. 1, 2001. That new deal allowed for redemption of sick leave days.
``These guys were led to believe that they would receive all of the benefits of the new collective bargaining agreement once it was ratified,'' said Michael B. Flynn, an attorney for the firefighters, many of whom worked for 30 years.
Flynn estimates the firefighters in total are entitled to up to $900,000.
Local 718 of International Association of Firefighters declined to comment, a spokesman said. The local currently counts 1,460 active members.
A spokesman for Menino did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Flynn said the firefighters wouldn't have retired if they thought they would not receive the benefit.
