Hialeah Firefighters Rehired Following Last Minute Deal

HIALEAH (CBS4) – More than a dozen recently laid off Hialeah firefighters have been rehired after a round of last minute negotiations.

Many of the laid off firefighters got the good news when they stopped by the fire station Thursday to hand in their uniforms and pick up their final paychecks.

The city's new budget included layoffs of up to 40 percent of the fire department. The first round of layoffs took place Oct. 1, when 14 firefighters and nine trainees were laid off and 12 vacant positions were eliminated.

The jobs were saved thanks to concessions made by the firefighters union which agreed to give up time-and-a-half pay for the next two holidays, Columbus Day and Veteran's Day. That will save the city about $230,000.

"It's a win for the citizens only. Firefighters are the ones that are paying for this," said Mario Pico, president of the union.

The agreement is good through Nov. 30.

Both sides are still in negotiations for what to do after the deal expires.

Mayor Hernandez released this statement shortly after the tentative deal was reached:

"Today, the Hialeah Fire Union has made the necessary concessions, as they have agreed to give up holiday pay for 2 days in the calendar year. These concessions will allow the City to reinstate the 14 fire fighters who were separated from their jobs on October 1st, 2011, as well as the 9 presently in the Fire Academy. Today's actions demonstrate that when two parties negotiate in good faith, a compromise can be achieved for the betterment of our community. I trust this is the beginning of fair and honest negotiations on behalf of the Hialeah Fire Union."

The 12 vacant positions were not saved in the deal.

The temporary agreement ended the contentious negotiations between the union and Hernandez, with each side accusing the other of playing political games.