Montgomery Co. Firefighters To Forgo Raises

Group joins teachers, police and others

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 AP - Associated Press
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