West Bay Mobile Newsroom
Cranston Eliminates Cost-of-Living Increases for Police and Fire Retirees
The Cranston City Council voted 8-1 on Monday to eliminate an annual 3% cost-of living increase for retired police officers and firefighters, a move that union officials say will be challenged. The decision was made after a late afternoon special session of the council. Mayor Steve Laffey called the vote "one of the most important decisions ever in Cranston" and supports the plan the council has agreed on.
The vote repeals a 1996 ordinance granting the annual cost-of-living increase for retirees. The increase has been written in every fire and police contract for the past seven years. Monday night, union leaders vowed they won't let the city break the contract it agreed to in the 1996 agreement. But city leaders say there simply isn't enough money to keep up with the increases.
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