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Buffalo firefighters awaiting back pay

WBFO News file photo

More than a month-and-a-half after approving a new contract with the City of Buffalo, firefighters are still waiting for some money that they're owed.

The deal agreed to by the Buffalo Firefighters includes a 21.5 percent pay raise, nearly half of which covers the ten years they went without a contract.

They started seeing this year's two percent increase in their July first pay check. But so far, they have not received any back pay. 

Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield tells WBFO News the money is going to be distributed in the very near future.  

Credit WBFO News file photo
Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield

"It took an enormous amount of work to prepare the back pay in consideration of being without a contract for over ten years. A lot of new things went into that contract that affects current employees, in terms of their time, in terms of benefits," Whitfield said. "It will be forthcoming in the very near future."   

Whitfield said when the checks are written they will be for the lump sum owed the firefighters which includes hourly wages, holiday pay, longevity and sick incentive.

Attempts to reach the firefighters union were unsuccessful.