Cicilline, Firefighters Reach Tentative Contract Deal | News

Tentative pact hailed as "fair to firefighters and fair to taxpayers of Providence"
 
PROVIDENCE - Mayor David N. Cicilline and the President of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 799, Paul Doughty announced that they have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement.  These contract proposals, which now go to the membership of Local 799 for consideration, are fair to firefighters and to taxpayers and produce savings of $16 million.

Mayor Cicilline thanked the members of the negotiating team on both sides and also thanked the men and women of the Fire Department for "the extraordinary job they do every day."  "It's important to recognize that even in the midst of the most difficult and contentious periods in this negotiation process, the men and women of the Fire Department continued to provide quality service to the residents of our city without exception.

"We've worked extremely hard to get to this day," said Mayor Cicilline.  "It has been a long, difficult journey with both sides standing strong for the principles they deeply believe in.  My actions have been guided by a strong belief that a contract should fairly compensate firefighters for the dangerous work they do every day, and be affordable to the residents of our city."  

"My top priority all along has been to secure a good, fair contract for my fellow firefighters who put their lives on the line, day in and day out, to protect the people of this city," said Doughty.  "I consider this a fair contract that I can feel good about taking back to my membership for ratification.  Now we can focus on fighting fires, and not fighting the Mayor."

The tentative agreement resolves all outstanding contract issues with Local 799 and results in $16 million in savings over a four-year period.  The contract provisions include:

Health insurance co-payment of 15 %
Wage freeze for FY 10 and FY 11
Wage increases equivalent to other city unions for FY 08 and 09 (1% and 2% ).
Management flexibility that increases the number of rescues and provides for savings.
Allows for the redeployment or reduction by attrition of 31 positions.
Modifies pension benefits for new hires.
Employees, for the first time, will make a 1.5% Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) contribution
Reduces holidays by one for the next four years.
Eliminates clothing allowance and clothing issue for this year.
Eliminates the "good attendance" bonus from the contract.
Eliminates the increased winter minimum manning for the next three years.
Annual savings to taxpayers:     

$ 7,750,000 in FY 10
                                                            
$ 3,000,000 in FY 11

$ 2,800,000 in FY 12

$ 2,800,000 in FY 13