ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Montgomery County's career firefighters had a change of heart and agreed to forgo a 4 percent cost-of-living pay raise.
The firefighters' union announced the agreement Tuesday as the county tries to close a more than $550 million budget shortfall for fiscal 2010.
Firefighters join Montgomery's teachers, police officers and other government workers in giving up cost-of-living raises.
Previously, firefighters had agreed to defer, but not give up, cost-of-living raises.
Under the new agreement, County Executive Ike Leggett and appointed senior managers will also go without a raise and firefighters will also get up to five extra paid days off and free use of the county's gyms and pools.
Copyright The Associated Press
