Statement from City Manager Reese Goad Regarding the Negotiating Status of the Fire Union Contract for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2027

Statement from City Manager Reese Goad Regarding the Negotiating Status of the Fire Union Contract for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2027

September 09, 2024

Statement from City Manager Reese Goad Regarding the Negotiating Status of the Fire Union Contract for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2027:

"Earlier today the negotiating teams met on the three-year contract. The contract period is set to begin on October 1, 2024. Thus far, both negotiating teams have worked in good faith to reach a deal in time for an October 1 implementation. The focus is and has been on Firefighter pay. At last week's negotiation meeting, the Fire Union received an offer for pay raises for all union members and committed to polling its members with the results to be released today. At the time, both negotiating teams believed that the voting members would support the offer. The Union completed its poll over the weekend and all indications are that the members voted in favor of the proposed offer, thus clearing the way for the contract to be finalized and officially approved.

At today's negotiating meeting, the Union indicated that 190 members voted, but it would not share the results of the poll. The Union made a counteroffer and suggested that non-monetary employment terms be discussed instead.

The contract period begins in three weeks and Time is of the Essence. Every indication is that the Firefighters want to approve the offer. The voices of the Firefighters should be heard. Please let them vote today."