City firefighters to receive 12% raise over next 3 years
Mansfield firefighters received a 12% raise over three years in their new contract.
Union members of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 266 recently approved the three-year deal, a copy of which was obtained Friday by the News Journal through a public records request.
Mansfield City Council unanimously approved the 63-page contract, following a 56-11 vote by union members.
In the new deal, retroactive to April 1, 2022, firefighters received a 4.5% raise in the first year, followed by a 4% increase in the second year and a 3.5% raise in the final year of the contract, which expires March 31, 2025.
"The members were a little disappointed," Lt. Matt Shafley said Friday. "They wanted what the cops got, but that's how negotiations work."
Shafley is the union president.
Police received 12.75% raise over 3 years
Effective March 1, 2022, city police received a 7.75% raise in the first year of a three-year deal. Officers and supervisors will get a 2.5% raise in the second and third years of the contract, which runs through July 31, 2025.
City firefighters do not have a "me too" clause.
In a report issued in December, a fact-finder recommended a 4% raise in each of the three years.
Union members did receive a $6,000 individual bonus through American Rescue Plan Act funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bonuses were approved at Tuesday's city council meeting after firefighters received a "letter of acknowledgement," a promise from the city.
That is similar to the $6,500 bonus that city police got through Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds to provide one-time worker retention incentives.
Firefighters also will receive a longevity payment of $100 for each year of completed service.
Firefighters receive $1,500 for uniform maintenance
Another wage-related dispute was the amount of money given for uniform maintenance. Under the previous contract, firefighters received $1,000. They requested $1,500.
A fact-finder recommended $1,250, but the union received the full $1,500 in the new contract. Each employee will receive $750 in January and the other $750 in July.
Employees hired on or after Dec. 1, 1999, will get an annual uniform allowance of $1,000.
Another issue in dispute was the probationary period. In the previous contract, no probationary employee was considered for minimum-manning purposes until between four and six months after obtaining certifications.
The union proposed eliminating the four- to six-month provisions, arguing there is no defined number of days required to work in that period before counting minimum manning.
Union members further proposed having probationary employees complete at least 35 shifts of 24 hours after obtaining the required certifications.
According to the new contract, no probationary employee shall be considered for minimum manning purposes until they have completed at least 30 shifts of 24 hours and obtained Firefighter II and basic EMT certification.
It's been a long haul for both the city and the firefighters, with negotiations taking about a year.
"We're relieved to get it done," Shafley said. "We'll start the process again here in a couple of years."
Mayor Tim Theaker shared the sentiment.
"To me, it's a mutually agreeable contract. I think it benefits both sides," he said Friday. "We've worked very hard on it. They deserve what they got, and we've been able to give them their fair share."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield Fire Department union members receive 12% raise over 3 years
