DOWNEY - The union representing four battalion chiefs in the Downey Fire Department has reached a deal with the city on a new 30-month employment contract.The deal, ratified by the City Council on Tuesday, includes no salary increases or benefit enhancements, and newly-hired employees will pay the full 9 percent member contribution towards their CalPERS pension plan. New hires are also limited to the Kaiser Permanente HMO medical plan only. The co-pay increased from $5 to $10, for both current and new employees. "The negotiated provisions are consistent with the city's initiative to reduce personnel costs during an uncertain economy," human resources director Irma Youssefieh wrote in a report to council members. The contract passed on a 2-1 City Council vote. Councilman Mario Guerra dissented without comment, and council members Fernando Vasquez and David Gafin were absent.

********** Published: August 11, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 17