EVERETT — The union that represents about 180 Everett firefighters has reached a three-year labor deal with the city that includes guaranteed raises, incentives for education and medical benefits for domestic partners.
“In this economy with all of the layoffs nationwide, we were happy to settle this contract and the city was very fair with us,” said Bob Downey, president of International Association of Fire Fighters, Local No. 46.
The union voted 114-31 in favor of the negotiated contract in mid-November. The Everett City Council affirmed it earlier this month.
The new contract is projected cost the city $800,000 next year. City officials said they could not provide cost estimates for the remaining two years, citing too many variables.
The new contract will boost firefighter salaries by 5.8 percent in 2009, then provide raises on a sliding-scale in the second and third year. The pay raises reflect only guaranteed cost-of-living adjustments, and firefighters also are still eligible for merit-based pay increases.
A rookie firefighter under the new contract next year will earn nearly $50,000 a year, more if he or she has a college degree. The starting yearly salary for a firefighter now is just over $45,000. A fire division chief in 2009 will earn about $104,000 per year, plus extra pay depending on education and training, as well as years on the force. That’s up from $95,208.
Union officials will be eligible to receive extra pay for completing off-duty training classes. College graduates also are entitled to higher pay. A firefighter with bachelor’s degree will see his or her pay boosted 3 percent above first-class firefighter pay.
The city agreed to pay complete medical premiums for firefighters and their dependents next year. In 2010 and 2011, firefighters may have to pick up some of the cost of insuring dependents if insurance premiums increase above 4 percent and 6 percent respectively.
Firefighters hoping to move up the ranks will face more rigorous promotional exams under the new contract, said Sharon DeHaan, Everett’s labor relations director.
The new contract also extends medical benefits to domestic partners of fire employees. Late last year, City Council members voted to extend medical, dental and vision insurance coverage to qualifying domestic partners and dependents of city workers. The newly extended coverage applies to both unmarried heterosexual couples and same-sex partners.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
