Reno judge delays ruling on firefighter layoffs

Reno Gazette-Journal

RENO, Nev. — After listening to eight hours of heated testimony on whether the public will be put at risk if the city lays off 32 firefighters and whether the city has the money to save those jobs, a Reno judge said Tuesday she will issue a decision by June 24 on whether to halt the layoffs.

But Washoe District Judge Lidia Stiglich hinted that it's not in the court's jurisdiction to decide whether the city has enough money to fund the positions, saying it seems clear that the firefighters need to file a labor complaint to be decided by the Employee-Management Relations Board. Instead, she said she will decide whether to halt the layoffs long enough for that board to issue a decision on the matter.

The firefighters who risk losing their jobs said Tuesday that the city is violating state law that allows for layoffs only if the city can demonstrate a lack of work or a lack of funds. Larry Digesti, the firefighters' lawyer, tried to build a case that the city has the money available, but is choosing to spend it elsewhere in violation of its collectively bargained contract with the firefighters' union.

Full story: Reno judge delays ruling on firefighter layoffs