In Sterling, the city faces a four hundred thousand dollar budget deficit. So, non union workers will have to take a number of furlough days by May.

It's an attempt by the city to save money. Those are days that employees will not work and will not get paid.

Marie Rombouts is the city clerk. She will go on furlough on Friday. That will be the first of six unpaid days Marie will take. 

She says a furlough is much better than losing her job. The savings will not eliminate the city budget deficit. However, it will save thousands of dollars. 

The firefighters' union in Sterling has also agreed to a wage concession. Union members work five hours for free during every two week pay period.  By agreeing to that concession, six firefighters who were laid off are now back to work. The city also was able to reopen a fire station which had been closed.