State overseers have informed the city’s Fire Department it will start its new 56-hour workweek schedule Sunday.
Bill DiLorenzo, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 198, said the union was notified of the change late Friday afternoon. The department had worked 42 hours in a week.
Former U.S. Sen. Jeff Chiesa, the city’s state-appointed overseer, made the change to cut costs. Chiesa also changed health insurance coverage, cut staff 25 percent and reduced pay 20 percent as the state looks to balance the city budget.
The union said Fire Chief Scott Evans had asked for eight days’ notice before the changes would become effective.