The tentative three-year pact, which requires a ratification vote, offers annual 2 percent raises for rank and file firefighters.
By JENNIFER FARRELL
Published July 18, 2003
CLEARWATER - Almost a year after they first squared off across the bargaining table, the city and its firefighters union have reached a tentative job contract deal.
The three-year agreement promises annual 2 percent raises for rank and file firefighters, with the first made retroactive to October 2002, when the last contract expired.
A ratification vote is scheduled early next month.
But the agreement, which capped months of contentious negotiations, left John Lee, president of Clearwater Firefighters Local 1158, somewhat less than jubilant.
"The city said it was the best deal we could get," he said. "Now it's time to let our people make their decision."
After holding out for higher raises and a one-year deal, union leaders relented late Wednesday, accepting the city's three-year offer at the end of a bargaining session that lasted nearly five hours.
The deal falls short of the union's demand for a 3 percent cost-of-living increase in the first year, followed by 2.5 percent hikes in the following two years. But the agreement does retain the extra raises firefighters and police have traditionally earned based on length of service.
On Thursday, city officials expressed relief that the end is near.
"Obviously it's been a long process," said city personnel director Joe Roseto. "We're certainly gratified that we were able to reach an agreement."
Said Mayor Brian Aungst: "I think everyone's glad it's over. I look forward to just moving on."
Both sides will head back to the bargaining table later this month to hammer out terms of a separate contract for the department's six district chiefs.
