BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Tomorrow, the county administrative office will formally request a declaration of an "impasse" from the Board of Supervisors concerning the most recent round of negotiations for a two year collective bargaining agreement for Kern County Firefighters.
Earlier this month, the Kern County Firefighters Union voted down the county's offer. On May 9, the county had specifically asked the union to implement recommendations to reduce overtime spending by at least $3.4 million annually.
According to the county, the changes would bring the fire department into alignment with the Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime Requirements, of which the county is currently paying in excess.
According to the county, the fire department's 2019-20 budget will require at least $6.5 million contribution from the County's general fund reserves to pay for employee pension cost increases. However, the county's fire fun deficit is projected to grow to nearly $9 million next fiscal year.
