A glitch in Pittsburgh’s new payroll system triggered overpayments totaling about $400,000 for nearly half of the city’s 600 firefighters, officials said. The city is now asking for the money back.
The problem occurred in late December after arbitrators provided a new five-year contract to the International Association of Firefighters Local 1, officials said. The old contract expired in December 2018. The new pact provided firefighters with retroactive pay from January to November 2019 when arbitrators finalized the contract.
Pittsburgh discovered overpayments ranging from several dollars to $5,000 after paying the firefighters, officials said. About 240 firefighters received overpayments. The city began seeking repayment this month, according to letters written to firefighters.