City Commission Approves Firefighters’ Collective Bargaining Agreement

During their March 10 meeting, the Tallahassee City Commission voted 5-0 to approve collective bargaining agreements that cover the bargaining units represented by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). The agreements will cover the time between Apr. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2023 and include increased wages, pension and parental leave.

The estimated cost for the agreement totals $4.9 million. Of that sum, $3.7 million will go towards wage costs and $1.2 million will be dedicated to lowering pension costs for IAFF members. Administrative and operational changes included in the agreement include the following as per the agenda item:

“Increase to special teams and paramedic supplements, new hire step increase after completion of probation, physical fitness supplement increase, institution of random nicotine testing, sick leave pool, increase in education reimbursement, personal leave slot ratio, mandatory overtime selection, decrease in group health insurance premium contributions and other minor language changes.”

Firefighters will see a 4% step progression adjustment for FY22 and FY23, as well as a 2.5% pay increase for members who topped out in FY22 and 2.75% for FY23. Supervisors will see a 4.5% across the board adjustment (ATB) for FY22 and FY23. The agreement also includes an annual cash supplement of $500 to be given out biweekly over 26 pay periods, as well as changes in pension rates and parental leave guaranteed for up to 240 hours per year.

Fiscal impacts for FY22 and FY23 will be analyzed as part of the budget development process.