County Firefighters Delay Wage Increase

Santa Barbara County Firefighters were set to receive a previously negotiated 2.5 percent wage increase on June 25, but instead will delay that increase. Local 2046—which represents county fire staff—have already deferred the pay bump twice. The delay is pending concession negotiations between the county and the union. If there is no agreement before September 18, the wage increase will be implemented retroactively to June 25. Union members are also slated to receive an additional 2.5 percent increase on September 3, unless there is an agreement. The firefighters’s current deal with the county, which was ratified in 2009, runs to March 2, 2014.