WESTMINSTER : Firefighters Sue City to Block Cutbacks
The Westminster Firefighters Assn. has sued the city to block the layoff of six firefighters, the elimination of most overtime pay and the removal of a firetruck from service.
In its suit, the association alleges that the cutbacks are in retaliation for its support of Mayor Charles V. Smith’s opponent in last November’s election.
The association, which is seeking a preliminary injunction, alleges that the reductions “are not necessitated by a legitimate financial emergency.â€
According to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Orange County Superior Court, Councilman Craig Schweisinger told the president of the Westminster Firefighters Assn. Local 2425 last February that Smith “intended to retaliate against†the union because of its “support for . . . Mayor Smith’s opponent, Joy Neugebauer.â€
Smith denied Friday that the cuts were politically motivated. He maintained that the reductions were “budgetary necessities brought about by . . . $1 million in overtime two years ago and over $900,000 last year.â€
“The overtime abuse has been rampant in the Fire Department,†he said.
Smith said that as a result of a hearing Wednesday before Superior Court Judge James R. Ross, the city has placed the firetruck back in service.
An as-yet unscheduled court hearing will deal with whether the city may proceed with the layoffs, which do not take effect for two weeks, Smith said.
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