Woonsocket Firefighter Layoffs Blocked

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - A Superior Court Judge has blocked the city of Woonsocket from laying off almost half of its fire department.

City officials had wanted to cut as many as 60 of the 125 firefighters to balance the budget. The plan was made after the firefighters' union rejected a contract proposal that included deep pay cuts, and a sharp increase in health care costs.

However, in his ruling late this afternoon, Judge Richard Israel said that laying off so many emergency responders would create a public safety risk for the residents of Woonsocket.

According to our news partners at the Providence Journal, City leaders will appeal the decision early next week. If that appeal is rejected, they will take their case of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

The city is also trying to lay off as many as 40 police officers from the Woonsocket Police Department.

Watch Eyewitness News starting Live at 5:00 for the the latest developments in this dispute.