The Chicago Tribune recently published an article detailing the progress of a new contract for Chicago firefighters. The proposed agreement, which has been endorsed by the City Council’s Workforce Development and Audit Committee, includes an 11% pay raise over five years.
This deal has already received support from the rank-and-file firefighters and emergency medical personnel in Firefighters Union Local 2, and it is now set to go before the full city council for a vote next week. Alderman Michele Smith, representing the 43rd Ward, praised the agreement, stating, “I couldn’t think of a person in America who wouldn’t enjoy that kind of wage increase.†She emphasized the positive impact this deal could have on the city's financial health, noting that reaching an agreement is better than facing potential strikes.
Joseph Franczek, the city’s outside labor attorney, explained that firefighters could have potentially received higher raises if the issue had gone to arbitration. However, the current package represents the lowest firefighter wage increase since 1981. “I would submit to you that this is really a pretty reasonable agreement,†he said.
The total additional cost to the city over the five-year period will be $80 million, covering 4,645 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and emergency medical personnel. The contract, which runs through June 2017 and is retroactive to June 30, 2012, means the city will need to pay $27.6 million in back pay this year. According to city spokeswoman Kelley Quinn, these funds were already budgeted.
Interestingly, this is the first time that the firefighters’ union has negotiated before the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Talks with the FOP are still ongoing and may conclude in the fall, according to Joseph Martinico, the city’s chief labor negotiator.
The agreement also includes provisions to upgrade 15 basic life support ambulances to advanced life support units by the start of next year, increasing the daily count of advanced ambulances to 75. Additionally, firefighters trained as EMTs will receive small increases in their incentive pay, though those hired after January 1, 2024, will need more time on the job to qualify.
Another key provision involves retirement benefits: firefighters retiring between the ages of 55 and 60 will now have to contribute 2% of their monthly pension to health insurance costs until they become eligible for Medicare. Currently, the city covers all such costs.
Finally, the agreement includes a clause that allows the union to reopen negotiations if the state introduces new pension reforms that increase firefighter contributions beyond the current 9.125%. This ensures that any future changes to pension funding could lead to further discussions on wages.
Thanks, Dan.
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