SAN JOSE (BCN) — A tentative labor agreement has been reached between San Jose and its firefighter union that will compensate employees who took a 10 percent pay cut in 2011, city and union officials announced on Monday.
The tentative three-year agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 230 includes a 3 percent salary increase each year for the next three years and a 5 percent pay increase retroactive from fiscal year 2014-2015 to meet other raises the city has reached with its other bargaining units, according to city officials.
Employees represented by the union haven’t had a pay raise since 2008 and took a 10 percent pay cut due to the Great Recession, union spokesman Tom Saggau said.
The tentative agreement includes a 2 percent one-time, non-pensionable payment equivalent to an employee’s base payment on June 21, 2014, in lieu of a wage increase retroactive to fiscal year 2013-2014.
“This new contract provides restoration of pay cuts, protects level of staffing for first responders and most importantly sets a tenor for how the city and the employees can work toward an agreement,” Saggau said.
The union had been negotiating with the city on its contract since January and its current contract is set to expire on June 30, Saggau said.
“The city and union have had some tough times in the past. What we’re seeing with this new agreement is a new spirit of cooperation and it’s very welcomed,” Saggau said.
The agreement needs to be ratified by the union and approved by the City Council before it goes into effect July 1, according to city officials.
The union represents about 650 employees including those serving as firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, Saggau said.
“I’m grateful for the sincere efforts of our hard-working firefighters and their negotiating team to reach an accord that will enable the city to restore pay, but to do so within our means,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said in a statement.