City Firefighters Have New Four-Year Contract, Nutter Says He'll Appeal

Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters has been awarded a new four-year contract in arbitration that starts with a one-year wage freeze, retroactively from June 30, 2009 [when the last contract expired], a 3 percent pay increase retroactive to July 1, 2010 and then 3 percent increases in July 2011 and July 2012.

Mayor Nutter announced today that the city plans to appeal the entire contract -- with the exception of some changes to the pension and vacation plans. He said the award, estimated to cost an additional $146 million over five years, is too expensive.

"This award is bad in the short term and worse in the long term," Nutter said. "We cannot afford this."

Fire Union president Bill Gault shot back that Nutter was being unreasonable.

"I don't know how to be happy any more," Gault said. "I've been dealing with this for 16 months. It finally gets done, it's not that great, it's not that bad, it's a standard regular award that everybody can live with."

You can read the contract here.  After the jump, you can read Local 22's news release that spells out some of the highlights in the new contract.

Fire Fighters Press RELEASE

Contract Arbitration Award Announced

Today, October 15, 2010, the Impartial Arbitrator, Michael Zobrak, in the Act 111 Interest Arbitration between the City of Philadelphia and Local 22, issued his Opinion and Award.

Highlights of the 4 – year Award are listed below.

Local 22 President Bill Gault commented on the Award stating,

"I am very pleased to announce that, after months of waiting, Local 22 members have received a new four-year Act 111 Award."

"The new contract Award is a major victory for our members given the substantial obstacles that have been thrust upon us over the past eighteen months.

"It's a fair award that addresses the needs of Fire Fighters and Paramedics and the City. There are plusses in it for both sides.

"The differences between our Award and that of the Police are relatively minor with the important distinction that Local 22 members will not be subject to furloughs.

"Considering the many areas of similarity, some benefits to the City not included in the Police Award, there is no reason to appeal this award. We call on the City and our friends in City Council to quickly accept, as they did the Police Award, this Fire Fighter - Award so that members and their families may enjoy some peace and security."

1. Term. Four year award, expires June 30, 2013.

2. Wages. One year freeze for FY 2010, followed by 3% across-the-board increase, effective July 1, 2010 (retroactive), and 3% wage increases on July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012. Similar to Police Award. But not awarded the 5% stress differential Police receive.

3. Medical. City proposal to move to self-insurance system granted, effective January 2011. Local 22 H&W Plan and benefits continue. City to receive $5 million rebate from current Fund reserves, in addition to savings achieved by self-insurance. Same as Police Award, except larger per-capita rebate.

4. Pension. No change to pensions for current employees, including the DROP. New employees will have choice between Plan 87 with a 6% employee contribution or the City's "hybrid" plan. Same as Police Award.

5. Furloughs. The City is not permitted to furlough our members.

6. Retiree Medical. City required to continue payments into Retiree Medical Fund to supplement post-retirement medical costs faced by our retirees. Same as Police Award.

7. Chief's Aides. City cannot eliminate or reduce Chief's Aides.

8. Promotions. Written component added to Chief Officer promotion examinations just like Lieutenant and Captain promotional exams. Modernizes the process, to match process used in most major cities.

9. Legal Services. City required to increase payments to the Legal Services Plan. Same as Police Award.

10. Comp Time. Chief Officer comp time cap increased from 1100 to 1200 hours, and retirement cashout increased from 550 to 600 hours. Same as Police Award.

11. Vacation Cashout. Disabled members will now be entitled to cashout their accrued vacation upon retirement. Same as Police Award.

12. Vacation. No change for current employees. New hires may use only 1 week of vacation during summer for first 5 years on the job. Same as Police Award.

13. Residency. No change to the long-standing residency requirement. More restrictive than Police Award.