Two Santa Maria firefighters have accused the city of employment and civil rights violations in a federal lawsuit, alleging they were unfairly punished for participating in union activity during tense labor negotiations more than a year ago.

Matthew Chircop and Travis Switzer filed their four-count lawsuit Nov. 7 in Los Angeles federal court, alleging Santa Maria Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge and city officials disciplined them because of their membership in Local 2020, which secured a new agreement for increased wages and benefits earlier this year.

Chircop, an SMFD captain, alleged Dandridge suspended him without pay for two days while Switzer claimed he was fired without cause in January shortly before his probationary period ended.

“Plaintiffs were subjected to adverse employment act

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