contract agreement

[E40FDNYL35]

UFA Reaches Combined 50 Month Wage Agreement with City & 5-Year Manning Agreement to Increase Staffing
Today the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA) representing 8,900 New York City Firefighters announced that it has reached a contract agreement with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City of New York on a 50 month contract, combined with a 5-year staffing agreement that will increase the number of 5-man engine companies from 60 to 64.
Over the four years and two months period represented in this contract agreement, the raises for New York City Firefighters will be 5% in year one; 5% in year two, 3% in year three and 3.15% in year four. Years three and four of the agreement represented straight raises with no concessions. The contract also calls for increases in contributions from the city to firefighter’s uniform allowance, and to the active and retired firefighter’s welfare fund for a total value of 17.52% compounded. The contract covers the period from June 1, 2002 through July 31, 2006.
The UFA Executive Board maintained throughout negotiations with the city that it could not settle on contract terms if they did not include a staffing agreement. On September 6 the union declared a contract impasse in the PERB mediation process and was prepared to take the contract matter to the state arbitration board, but both parties continued dialogue to see if some form of agreement could be found.
“There is no doubt that this contract agreement took a long time, but it represents two separate agreements which enhances public and firefighter safety with a 5-year extension and expansion of the roster staffing agreement and gives firefighters a wage increase we can live with, but still doesn't compensate us for the dangers and risks we take everyday,” said Steve Cassidy, UFA President.
“We have long pointed out that firefighter staffing levels are in direct correlation to public safety and this agreement recognizes that. Clearly credit is due to the Mayor and Labor Commissioner for understanding how important staffing is to the citizens and communities of New York City.”
Since August 1, 2002, the UFA have had two negotiated contracts, with wage increases totaling over 31.12% compounded (5%, 5% and 1.5% or a total of 11.75% compounded over a 24-month period; and with this current agreement of 5%, 5%, 3% and 3.15% or a total of 17.52% compounded over 50 months).

[E40FDNYL35]

October 28, 2005 -- City police officers who switch to the Fire Department would face a pay cut under terms of a new contract deal -- a pact that also would lift wages 17.1 percent from 2002 levels. It is a unique twist in a four-year, one-month agreement for firefighters, retroactive to June 1, 2002, that if ratified is expected to cost the city an additional $168 million per year.
Since 2002, more than 350 city cops have changed uniforms to become firefighters, officials say. Generally they've kept the same wages as they entered the new agency. James Hanley, the city's labor commissioner, said that under the new deal such uniform changers "for salary purposes ... start out as new employees."
The same change would affect correction officers who become firefighters. NYPD and Correction Department seniority would still count toward pensions under the deal, which requires state legislative approval. As in recent deals with other uniformed unions, starting pay for FDNY rookies will be slashed -- to $25,100 from the current $32,700. But maximum pay, without overtime or differentials, will rise from $54,200 before overtime and differentials to $63,609. If ratified, the new agreement will immediately put more than $15,000 worth of back pay in the pockets of Uniformed Firefighters Association members, Hanley said.
The union represents 8,900 FDNY firefighters..
The compounded wage increases that add up to 17.1 percent are: 5 percent effective June 1, 2002; 5 percent effective June 1, 2003; 3 percent effective Aug. 1, 2004; 3.15 percent effective Aug. 1, 2005. Cassidy stressed that the city also agreed to expand the number of five-person fire trucks from 60 to 64 through January 2011, a staffing deal that the UFA has pressed for years. Other trucks in the city's 200-plus fire companies can carry four people. The city also increases its contributions to union welfare funds, boosts the uniform cleaning allowance by $100 per year and improves annuity payments. "Timing is everything. When a window opens up, you've got to jump in and get your deal done. We've been working on this a long time. It didn't just happen today," Cassidy told reporters.

[Smoke20286]

Sounds like you guys fought a good fight E40, congrats on the new contract

[lexfd5]

Grats on the contract brothers. Long overdue.

[Jasper 45]

40/35 …


I’m glad you were able to settle, it should’ve happened a long time ago.
How is this deal for your members? Is it a real pay raise, or will it not keep up with the cost of living in your area?

[newbomb]

congrats guys you deserve it

[SFDredhat126]

Congrats. Anytime you can add staffing it's a big plus, and it sounds like a good raise.

How can a rookie live in NYC on $25K? I know that people will still fall all over themselves to get hired; but if they do, can they pay the bills?