火fighters will receive more than 14 percent in ongoing raises according to a tentative three-year labor agreement reached with San Jose city officials, union leaders confirmed Monday, reports mercurynews.com
The deal with the IAFF San Jose Firefighters Local 230 will give firefighters a retroactive 5 percent raise dating back to June 2014, and an additional 3 percent increase in the first year. The fire personnel will also receive 2 percent non-pensionable lump sum payment, union officials told this newspaper.
The second year will include a 3 percent raise and 1 percent non-pensionable payment, and the third year will give them another 3 percent raise.
“We look at it as a very positive step in rebuilding labor relations with the city,” said Tom Saggau, a spokesman for the union. “We want to make sure San Jose is a competitive employer and that we’re able to retain and recruit firefighters. This agreement will help in doing that.”
Saggau said the agreement includes language to protect the minimum levels of staffing and an organizational review of the department. The union will be at the table to discuss the outcome of that review, he said.
The firefighters’ union hasn’t seen raises since 2008. The city has been in labor negotiations with all 11 of its unions since the beginning of this year. This is the first tentative labor agreement, officials said.
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