The Face of a Layoff

Vince Parga wasn't born in Benicia but he grew up here. "I was raised in Benicia," he said. "I graduated from Benicia High School in 2003."

Seventeen months ago, Parga was hired as a Benicia firefighter.  His probationary employment period will conclude in 20 days. But he found out last week that he might be laid off by the city in an effort to balance the budget.

"We got told by the chief we were on the layoff list," said Parga. "It was a surprise. I didn't think things were this bad yet."

How does it feel to know that fellow employees would have to accept pay cuts in order for him to keep his job? "I don't know," Parga said. "There's no way I can answer that. I don't have any expectation that people will give up anything for me."

The City Council voted unanimously to reopen contract talks with seven of the eight bargaining units representing employees of the city.  If the city gets the concessions it needs from the employee groups, Parga and nine other city employees, including Fire Chief Steve Vucurevich, will  keep their jobs.