ALBUQUERQUE FIREFIGHTERS WILL BE A SEEING A LITTLE MORE IN THEIR PAYCHECKS. THE CITY AND THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION HAVE AGREED TO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT THAT CALLS FOR A PAY RAISE OF TWO AND-A-HALF PERCENT.
CITY COUNCILOR KEN SANCHEZ CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION PROVIDING 1.8 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SALARY INCREASES. HE SAYS IT REINSTATES MONEY LOST WHEN FIREFIGHTERS' PAY WAS CUT FOUR YEARS AGO AS THE CITY DEALT WITH A 90-MILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL.
THE AGREEMENT ALSO COVERS THE COST OF PAYING UNION LEADERS DURING REGULAR DUTY HOURS BY HAVING ALL FIREFIGHTERS DONATE "LEAVE" TIME.
