City firefighters got burned in a long-awaited arbitration decision on their pending union contract.
Over a four year period stretching back to July 2007, firefighters will get raises totaling 6.5 percent – half of what they were looking for.
They will also see their cost-sharing for health care rise from 5 percent of the tab to 9.75 percent in the final year, by far the highest of any city workers. The police union, the next highest, is due to pay 8.25 percent in the same fiscal year, which begins July 1.
In addition, new retirees in the fire department will also have to pay the same percentage of their health care as active duty firefighters.
Mayor Art Ward said the arbitrators clearly “recognized the economic crisis that municipalities are faced with at the present time” and took it into account in awarding contract terms.
City Comptroller Glenn Klocko said the city had socked away about $600,000 to pay off the firefighters’ back pay in the worst case scenario. Because the city won most items, about half the money will likely be returned to the rainy day fund.
Firefighters failed in their bid to change their work schedule so they would work 24 hours in a row and then get three straight days off.
The city has 25 days to reject the decision, but Ward has no plans to ask the City Council to consider it.
The city has 25 days to reject the decision, but Ward has no plans to ask the City Council to consider it.
The city spent at least $130,000 on lawyers to handle the case.
I'll have more on this Wednesday.
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