Firefighters Local 693 and the City of Ann Arbor Successfully Negotiate New Labor Contract
March 3, 2020 – For the first time in 25 years, the City of Ann Arbor and the International Association of Firefighters Local 693 have successfully negotiated a new collective bargaining contract for fire employees prior to the expiration of the current contract. The new contract was ratified by union membership in February, and last night, City Council approved a resolution to accept the terms of the contract.
“I commend the bargaining committee for negotiating a fair contract that recognizes the contribution fire employees make in protecting our residents while also resolving numerous legacy labor management issues such as scheduling and canceling of overtime, increased community engagement, and increased criteria for promotions,” said Ann Arbor Fire Chief Mike Kennedy. “The foundation of this contract is improved labor management relations thanks to elected city leadership and the City Administrator’s Office.”
Terms of the new contract include:
- Five-year agreement: Effective January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2024.
- All members hired on or after July 1, 2012 will be subject to a new pay scale, effective January 1, 2020.
- All members hired before July 1, 2012 will receive a 1-percent lump sum for 2020, and a 2-percent lump sum for 2022. There will be zero adjustments to the base wage for these years.
- A 1.5-percent base wage increase for all members effective January 1, 2022, a 2-percent base wage increase for all members effective January 1, 2023, and a 2.25-percent base wage increase for all members effective January 1, 2024.
- The city’s actuarial contribution to the eligible IAFF members’ Retiree Health Reimbursement Accounts (RHRA) increased from $3,500 to $4,000 per year.
- By January 1, 2022, all IAFF members will increase their pension contribution from 6 percent to 6.5 percent of pay.
- The city achieved many beneficial operational changes that also have a cost savings for the department.
International Association of Firefighters Local 693 Union President Christopher Buscemi added, “Having a five-year contract will not only provide stability within the fire department, but it will also allow our focus to be placed elsewhere. We have always seemed to be playing catch up with two contracts settled in 2019; one of which has been expired for more than two years. This contract is a direct result of conducting ‘fair and productive’ negotiations on both sides of the table.”
