Fire Unions Reach Contract Agreement

Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced on Thursday afternoon that the city has reached an agreement with the fire unions in negotiating their contract.

Fire Unions IAFF Local 1076 and 1078 have been without a contract since 2007.

Zimmer called the agreement "fair to both our employees and taxpayers."

The agreement has been ratified by both union memberships, and the City Council will be asked to review and vote on the agreement at Monday night’s Council meeting.

The new six year contract is effective from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2013.

The retroactive pay will be paid over three years from 2012 to 2014. The memorandum of agreement will be posted on the City’s web site after City Council members have received the information, Zimmer announced.

Zimmer added that she will be proposing a bond to the council to pay for improvements at both fire and police facilities.

"The firehouse at 1313 Washington Street has a rusted support beam in the floor over which the trucks drive and water leaks into the electrical system. At fire headquarters, the façade is separating from the building and is in need of immediate repairs. Our police headquarters lacks basic heating and cooling and security measures," she said.