From The Sacramento Bee, June 5

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento's firefighters union has rejected a tentative agreement that would have frozen salaries in exchange for protecting jobs.

The union says 66 percent of its members voted against the agreement.

The deal would have required firefighters to forgo a 5 percent raise that is scheduled to take effect next month. It also would have capped raises over the next two years.

Sacramento officials said the deal would have saved the city $5 million.

The city earlier this week sent layoff notices to 50 firefighters, as well 18 high-ranking fire officials. Union officials complained the notices were designed to intimidate its members to vote for the agreement.