An Atlantic County Superior Court judge has delayed a second round of state-mandated salary cuts to the city Fire Department.
Judge Julio Mendez ruled Monday that an 11.3 percent salary cut can’t go into effect until he hears the department’s injunction requests Jan. 10, because irreparable damage could result before the hearing.
“We are happy the judge saw the harm that these cuts could cause,” said John Varallo Jr., president of Local 198. Firefighters were set to see their salaries reduced 11.3 percent Dec. 10. The move comes two months after Mendez ruled the state could cut the department by 15 members, to 180, after Feb. 15.