Pay Hike Slated for Firefighters

A salary ordinance that passed on first reading June 15 will give firefighters a 3.5 percent raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008.

As reported by Plaintalker in April 2007, the prior FMBA contract ended Dec. 31, 2007:
"Also up for a vote will be a settlement with the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association for a contract through the end of this year. The FMBA received increases of 3.25 percent in 2003, 3.85 percent in 2004, 3.95 percent in 2005 and will now receive 4 percent for 2006 and 4.425 percent this year. The contract expires Dec. 31."

The proposed amended ordinance does not state a term for the new contract. It will be up for second reading and final passage at the July 20 meeting. The new maximum salary will be $77,548. In another provision, the previous minimum of $40,183 will increase to $50,006, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008.

The ordinance was not discussed at the June 9 agenda session and only appeared June 15 among 79 resolutions and three ordinances up for a vote that evening.

--Bernice Paglia