Kansas City Union OKs Pact Aimed at Avoiding Layoffs

Kansas City's firefighters union on Thursday ratified a three-year agreement with the city that factors in a $7.6 million cut to the Fire Department but strives to avoid layoffs.

Union officials could not be reached for comment, but city officials confirmed the agreement had been overwhelmingly ratified by members of Local 42 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

The City Council still must approve the contract after a public hearing next week.

But the council voted Thursday for a resolution pledging to give the agreement fair and good faith consideration, and it's ultimately expected to pass.

The union vote comes four weeks after the City Council approved a budget that cuts $7.6 million from the fire department beginning May 1.

City Manager Troy Schulte had suggested in January that the city could realize those savings by laying off 105 firefighters and reducing the crew on each pumper from four to three people. But Fire Chief Smokey Dyer argued that would seriously compromise public safety.

The new union agreement is intended to accomplish the savings without involuntary layoffs, Schulte said Thursday.

Instead, it calls for the retirement or attrition of about 33 of the most senior firefighters, and taking two of the most underused fire companies out of service. It also calls for firefighters to work 53 hours per week before they accrue overtime, instead of 49 1/2 hours per week. That change in overtime rules alone saves $3.5 million a year.

Additional savings would come from the retirement or voluntary departure of about 17 department employees from the ranks of battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs and civilians.

Mayor Sly James said negotiations with the union, which began about eight weeks ago, had been quite contentious because they involved such significant cuts to the fire department. He said the council resolution was intended to improve that relationship and would send an important signal to firefighters that the council will work with them in a trustworthy way.

When told of the union vote, James said, "They had things they needed and wanted to protect, but they were willing to work with us to get the job done. I'm proud of them for ratifying it."

James said he is hopeful the council will finalize the labor agreement soon.

The measure does not include raises this year, but would provide step increases in years two and three. Schulte said that is expected to cost the city an additional $1.3 million over those two years, and some council members said they're still not sure the city can afford that.

The Council's Finance and Governance Committee is expected to consider the union agreement May 2.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service