Heard in the Hall

Philly firefighters contract awards 9 percent in raises

Philadelphia City Hall and political coverage from the Philadelphia Inquirer City Hall bureau.

9 comments

Philly firefighters contract awards 9 percent in raises

POSTED: Friday, October 15, 2010, 4:28 PM

Jeff Shields

Philadelphia firefighters will receive 9 percent in wage increases and be protected from furloughs under a four-year contract awarded this afternoon by an independent arbitration panel. But they will continue to be required to live inside the city, unlike police officers who were granted authority to move out of Philadelphia come 2012.

Until now, city firefighters were operating under the terms of a contract that expired more than 15 months ago.

The new terms include no pay increase for the contract’s first year – which has already passed – and call for raises of 3 percent a year in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The city will continue to contribute $1,270 per employee per month to cover health-care costs, until Dec. 31. At that time, the union’s health and welfare fund will switch to a self-insurance program – as did the city’s police union last year - that is intended to save the city millions in the years to come.

Current firefighters will see no change in their pension benefits, while new hires will be able to join a new retirement plan that combines a traditional but reduced pension benefit with a defined-contribution plan similar to a 401 (k) in the private sector.

New hires will also be limited in vacation time, permitted to take off only one week from May 1 to Sept. 30 for their first five years.

The arbitration award was not unanimous. Labor attorney Kenneth M. Jarin, the city's appointed arbitrator on the panel, wrote in a lengthy opinion that he dissented largely because "the panel's findings do not identify how the city has the ability to pay for the increased costs of the award without cutting services." He said the pay raises will cost the city $67 million.

Jarin also dissented from a contract that was awarded last December to police. Under the terms of that deal, officers received 7 percent in raises over five years.

Mayor Nutter is scheduled to hold a news conference about the firefighters contract this afternoon.

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.

9 comments

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Comments (9)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:17 PM, 10/15/2010

Good for them. They put their lives on the line each and every day.

— Koty

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:31 PM, 10/15/2010

On paper yes, in their pockets, not yet. You guy's deserve it, but make sure they have the do-re-me.

— FJG JR

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:49 PM, 10/15/2010

Not Enough! These men and women heed the call 24/7 and have saved many of lives in this city. Philly firefighters and rescue are one contract that needs to be graciously rewarded. 3% a year? are you kidding me? Who cares what city they live in as long as they work in ours.

— whiskey7

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:59 AM, 10/16/2010

Seems that Labor attorney Kenneth M. Jarin has half a brain. Unfortunately the rest of the panel is brain dead.

— CyaNutter

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:00 AM, 10/16/2010

Show me the money? Oh, I mean show me the taxes!

— cheshilguy

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:01 AM, 10/16/2010

How about a wage freeze on public employees until unemployment falls below 10% of the population?

— Conan the Philadelphian

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:14 PM, 10/16/2010

Over 10% unemployment, social security gets no COLA increase, state workers being furloughed and these guys get a 9% raise. Standby for more taxes. Glad I moved out of Philly 22 years ago.

— Navyman