SALINAS CITY OFFICIALS ARE NEGOTIATING WITH THE CITY’S FIREFIGHTERS UNION TO POSSIBLY INCREASE THE RETIREMENT AGE FOR NEW FIREFIGHTERS. THE INCREASE IN RETIREMENT AGE WOULD AFFECT NEW HIRES TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. CURRENTLY THE PENSION PLAN IS 3 PERCENT AT 50 YEARS OLD, THE PROPOSED INCREASE WOULD BE 3 PERCENT AT 55 YEARS OLD. THE CITY HAD BEEN AWARDED A GRANT TO HIRE NEW FIREFIGHTERS, BUT MUST WORK OUT A PLAN FOR THE PENSIONS OF THOSE NEW HIRES.
