Pontiac firefighters received pink slips in the mail Christmas Eve.
The letter states “due to the financial emergency that exists within the city of Pontiac, we continue to face the difficult task of restructuring the workforce.” Firefighters were told their positions are being eliminated in the beginning of 2012, and the decision comes after intense negotiations Thursday, according to WDIV.
The letter also included an application for the Waterford Township Fire Department, and firefighters have until Jan. 3 to apply. However, employment is not guaranteed, the station reported. City officials have worked out a tentative deal for Waterford to take over Pontiac's fire department.
City leaders say this termination letter is all apart of the process, but those like Dave Valentine want to see a deal made sooner than later.
“Make the deal, hurry up and make the deal,” Valentine told reporters.
The Daily Tribune reported that Waterford Township will be paid $6.2 million to provide fire services for the city. In return, about $4 million will be spent in fire services for the city. Waterford will pocket the rest.
The deal follows weeks of protests by the Pontiac firefighters and supporters, arguing a proposal by the union would have saved the city $3.9 million and kept the department from being outsourced, the newspaper reported.
More negotiations on the issue are planned for this week.
