From the Contra Costa Times: The Los Angeles Fire Department never implemented a staffing plan ordered by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa six weeks ago to boost the department's front-line firefighting ranks and again threatening to reduce service citywide in an effort to influence an upcoming union vote.

Fire Chief Millage Peaks is planning to return the department to a reduced "brownout" fire coverage schedule beginning Nov. 21 unless the firefighters union approves a new city contract later this month.

Under the brownout plan, 15 fire companies at a time throughout the city would be shut down to save staffing costs.

UFLAC members are scheduled to vote on their leadership on Nov. 22 and decide on a proposed contract that gives them no raises or added benefits on Nov. 29–30. If the current leadership is re-elected and the contract approved, the modified coverage plan will be withdrawn. Read the full article here.