By CRAIG FREILICH

POTSDAM -- Several lifeguards who work at the Potsdam beaches at Sandstoner Park in the village and at Postwood Park in Hannawa Falls are participating in a work stoppage over pay.

Trey Smutz, director of the joint village and town Recreation Department, confirmed Friday afternoon that some lifeguards had walked out in a dispute over wages.

“A few people were a little disappointed. They wanted to receive the state minimum wage,” which rose on Dec. 31, 2017 from $9.70 per hour to $10.40 per hour.

Their pay this year is $9.70 per hour, which Smutz said is more than they were paid last year.

It is reported that nine of the roughly 25 lifeguards walked off the job Friday.

“We’re going to try to rearrange the schedule to accommodate the public,” said Village Administrator Greg Thompson.

“We have to do our best to keep the beaches open, but if we can’t keep them open safely, we’ll have to close them,” he said.

There had been reports earlier this year the lifeguards had been pressing to be paid the state minimum wage. But municipalities are exempt from state minimum wage requirements.

They are still subject to federal minimum wage rates. The current federal minimum wage us $7.25 per hour.

“We thought the pay was good wage for the job,” Thompson said. “That’s unfortunate. I hope we don’t have to close the beaches.”