Cranston Firefighters Agree on New Contract

Cranston Mayor Alan Fung reports that a new tentative agreement with the city's firefighters will save the city $4 million annually.

The firefighters will take a two-year pay freeze and will absorb 5 permanent layoffs in the next three years, with 17 open positions remaining temporarily unfilled.

Fung also reports that under the terms of the new contract, the existing uniformed fire department dispatchers would be replaced with civilian personnel, which will result in significant savings for the city.  It's unclear if the current sworn dispatchers would be fired or reassigned within the department.

The new contract goes before the City Council next Monday.