An agreement between the city and its firefighter union that ends more than $40 million worth of disputes is now final, with approval from both sides.
The City Council voted 6-0 Monday to approve the settlement, one week after approving a tentative version of the plan in closed session.
“Reaching equitable settlements are essential to exiting bankruptcy,” City Attorney Gary Saenz said in a written statement. “We are required to assess the short- and long-term costs associated with each settlement the city enters into and agree on terms that allow the city to be financially and service solvent. This settlement does both.
“We have been able to agree on an equitable settlement of over $40 million in claims and clear up the transition process for fire employees associated with the proposed annexation to county fire.”
Most of the city firefighters will transfer to San Bernardino County Fire Department.
Members of the San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters voted last week to approve the agreement, which union President Jeff English said redresses “inappropriate past financial actions” by the city.