Kansas City, Mo. ? Officials had to close six of the city’s 14 public swimming pools indefinitely as a result of a work stoppage by lifeguards.

At least 14 lifeguards were fired on Saturday for refusing to go back to work. Officials shuffled staff to keep the other eight pools open.

The city probably could not hire new lifeguards quickly enough to reopen all pools, aquatics director Ralf Emerson said. The pools that were closed, however, were smaller pools where the season was scheduled to end next week.

About 30 of the city’s 70 lifeguards walked off the job Friday to protest a continuing problem with paychecks. In response, the city closed several pools Friday, promised checks for back pay by 3 p.m. Wednesday and told everyone to return to work Saturday or be fired.

On Saturday, Breck Thurman, a pool manager, pulled a pay stub from his pocket and pointed to the line that showed him earning $8.12 an hour. He should earn $10 an hour.

Lifeguards complained that they were being shorted $1, $2 or more an hour, depending on where they stood on a pay scale that took effect in May.

Emerson said he thought the pay difference was smaller, from about 50 cents to $1.50 an hour per lifeguard. He blamed paperwork problems and said he was unable to calculate all back wages in time for the pay to be included on city checks issued Friday.