Waterford firefighters agree to take furloughs

Waterford - The Waterford Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4629 reached an agreement Friday with the town to take two furloughs next year in order to prevent layoffs, according to union leadership.

The furlough days approved by the nine-member union will save the town between $4,500 and $5,000, in the $73.8 million 2010-11 budget.

The union, which represents the professional firefighters that work in the town's five volunteer fire companies, will meet with town leaders to decide when they will take furloughs.

The unpaid days would most likely be staggered to allow for proper staffing of the fire stations.

First Selectman Daniel Steward said the town owes the firefighters "a hearty thank you."

Union President Robert Swansen said the firefighters decided to take the furloughs reluctantly and proposed other cost-saving plans to the town.

"They shot them down," Swansen said. "(The town) said there was no other way to do it."

Swansen, who declined to elaborate on the union's cost-cutting plans, added that furlough savings was "not money well spent."

"It was more of a personal thing," Swansen said.

All of Waterford's municipal and school unions have agreed to take two furlough days, except the Waterford police union.

Steward said Friday he will continue to meet with the police union.

The teachers' union initially voted against furloughs, but on Thursday agreed to the unpaid days after renegotiating terms with the school administration.

s.chupaska@theday.com