Barnard Et Al. v. City Lynn

LUMMUS, Justice. The eleven plaintiffs are laborers employed by the city of Lynn in its refuse and garbage department. All are in the classified civil service under G.L.(Ter.Ed.) c. 31, § 1 et seq. By ordinance each is entitled to receive 70 cents an hour, or $30.80 a week. The economic situation of the city led to the adoption of a budget appropriating to each department for the year 1932 a sum sufficient to pay nine-tenths of the salaries and wages in the department. No reduction in salary or wages was made. Instead, each officer and employee was asked to relinquish to the city one-tenth of his compensation, and to sign a contract to that effect. All the employees of the refuse and garbage department did so, except the eleven plaintiffs.