 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Firefighters union wins pay, pension raises in contract
By BRYAN GILMER, Times Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayor Rick Baker's administration reached a tentative three-year agreement Tuesday with the labor union that represents the city's rank-and-file firefighters, including a series of annual raises and a higher pension. The preliminary terms call for firefighters to get the 6 percent raise retroactive to Oct. 1, a 5 percent raise this October and a 4 percent raise in October 2003. Firefighters who retire after Jan. 1, 2004 would receive higher pensions under the new contract; for instance, someone with 25 years of service would retire at 75 percent salary rather than the current 65 percent. "We recognize the pay increase for other city employees has been 3 percent," Baker said. "This is double that. But public safety is important, and I believe this will definitely allow us to compete with (other fire departments) in the area." Union president Rick Feinberg said pay and pension benefits here have lagged behind other fire departments in the area, causing problems with retention and recruiting. "When we started this process, we sat down and talked about what we saw as serious problems," he said. He pointed out that other city unions are poised to renegotiate their contracts soon and may receive higher increases then. Negotiations began last summer, and firefighters have been working with no contract since Oct. 1. The firefighters union endorsed Baker last year when he ran for office. Baker said the endorsement did not "in my mind" affect the negotiations. He said the city is offering similar terms to two police unions that did not endorse him. To become final, the firefighters' contract terms must still be approved by a majority of the 290 members of St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters Local 747 and by the St. Petersburg City Council. The union will conduct a ratification vote by mail over the next two weeks. Results should be in by the end of the month. If the agreement is approved, the council will vote. Feinberg said he is confident members will approve the deal. City Council member John Bryan said he hopes his colleagues will, too. "I think it's very well deserved," he said. "I'm excited for them."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times South Pinellas desks |
