Santa Maria firefighters have been working without a contract since last December. New contract negotiations began in November. Fire Fighters Union Local 2020 wants higher wages. Union officials say Santa Maria is the second busiest fire department in Santa Barbara County and is one of the lowest-compensated departments countywide. City negotiators have offered three separate contracts. All three have been rejected by the Union. Yesterday, according to KSBY, the City of Santa Maria declared an impasse in negotiations.
