New contract gives firefighters 3 percent raise

Last Updated on Monday, March 11, 2013 07:55 pm Written by SHAUN SMITH Wednesday, March 06, 2013 01:55 pm

Concessions include lower starting salary and clothing allowance, fewer vacation days

MARGATE – The city and the firefighters union have reached a three-year agreement that gives firefighters an increase in base pay of 3 percent for 2013 and 2.5 percent for the next two years.

The city commissioners unanimously approved a measure Thursday, Feb. 21 authorizing the contract with Fireman's Benevolent Association Local 41.

“This contract negotiation was productive, professionally conducted and a true example of what the law intended: a fair process for labor-management contract settlement,” said Margate business administrator Rich Deaney.

“I congratulate President Tom Sherr and the local 41 FMBA leadership and the management negotiating team of Chief Anthony Tabasso and CFO Lisa McLaughlin for their ample assistance.”

Tabasso said he has been a part of many contract negotiations over the past 35 years in fire service and that it was a pleasure to be part of the negotiating team.

“To me it was amazing how amenable and quick and good things went,” he said. “I'm extremely proud of my personnel. They were very professional and I am very happy about it.”

Deaney said that with expected retirements averaging about one per year, the agreement would be sustainable for years to come.

“For example, the 2013 fire budget expenses for the FMBA compensation package is projected to be flat because of other monetary givebacks and one retirement,” he said.

According to Deaney, a main feature of the agreement is that new firefighters will start at $2,722 less than a first-year firefighter in 2012, and it will take nine years to reach the top salary step instead of the previous four.

“Therefore, a fifth-year firefighter on the former scale was paid $83,462, while a fifth-year fighter on the new scale is listed at $60,000, a savings of $23,462. During the first 10 years of employment, the city will save $118,695 for each new firefighter hired,” Deaney said.

“Because turnover average exceeds one per year, the savings will continue progressively and are projected to be in excess of $1 million within the next decade.”

Deaney said that firefighters will no longer receive longevity pay after 10 years, and during the first 10 years they will accrue 16 fewer vacation days.

“The FMBA also agreed to eliminate sick leave attendance incentives, whereby members with either limited or no sick days taken were rewarded with payments yearly up to $1,100,” he said.

“They were previously paid to not use sick days and then paid when they retired for unused sick days. This will save an additional several thousand dollars yearly,” he explained.

“Finally, the FMBA agreed to reduce the yearly clothing allowance for all firefighters from $1,050 to $350 – a savings from 2013 forward of $700 per firefighter, or more than $22,000 per year or $66,000 over the life of the contract.”

The firefighters will receive an increase in base pay of 3 percent for 2013 and 2.5 percent for the next two years.

“The extra base pay helps firefighters at retirement for pension purposes. Essentially they elected to shift pay from an allowance to base salary, and in return we gain a new longer wage scale, saving taxpayers well into the future,” Deaney said.

“The amount of extra base pay equates to about $54,000 total for all 33 firefighters over the life of the contract; $27,000 in 2013 and $13,500 in both 2014 and 2015. The amount of clothing allowance lost is $21,700 per year based on 31 firefighters.”

Deaney said the $54,000 in extra base pay for the next three years is more than balanced by $66,000 in clothing allowance savings. 

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