Massachusetts town settles with firefighters over overtime back pay

The town of Natick, Massachusetts has reached an agreement with local firefighters' unions regarding overtime back pay, according to the Metro West Daily News. A lump payment of $360,000 will be awarded to union members, along with a 1.5 percent raise.

The discrepancy in pay - which affected firefighters, deputies, lieutenants and captains - occurred when it was found that the town had made improper payroll processing calculations over the past three years, by failing to consider pay differentials and stipends in overtime rates.

The newspaper reports that town administrator Martha White had previously set aside $315,000 to reimburse firefighters at a town meeting in the spring of 2010, and will request an additional $45,000 at this year's meeting in order to settle the payment.

"We are very pleased with this outcome with the fire unions, and feel the agreement is fair to all parties," said White, according to the news source.

The fire department in nearby Lynn, Massachusetts, recently reported that it had awarded more than $1.8 million in overtime last year, according to The Daily Item. A total of 20 of its firefighters earned more than $100,000 each.