VIDEO: A Seattle City Council member is proposing restoring $7 million for the Seattle Fire Department’s overtime budget, after new city projections identified $12.7 million in additional unused funds.
Councilmember Maritza Rivera said she wants to use the funding to restore overtime money that was cut in Mayor Katie Wilson’s initial proposed budget.
The proposed cut drew criticism from the Seattle Fire Fighters Union Local 27 and the fire department over concerns about staffing and emergency response times.
Union President Kenny Stuart said firefighters are already being asked to work additional hours to maintain staffing.
“The fire department has been asking firefighters to come back after their shift is done over and over and over,” Stuart said. “Sometimes for as long as 72 hours in a row.”
KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle
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