Firefighters get new contract

By STEVEN SCARPA
Connecticut Post
Tuesday, February 10, 2004

STRATFORD - The Town Council unanimously approved a new four-year contract for the firefighters Monday night.

The firefighters, who had been working without a contract since 2002, will get pay raises of 2.6, 2.7, 3.0, and 3.25 percent over the course of the deal. Salaries set for firefighters at the top step over the four-year term of the contract are $50,385 in 2002; $51,796 in 2003; $53,350 in 2004; and $55,284 in 2005.

The town will also realize savings because of a shift in insurance policies and premium sharing in the new contract.

Both council members and union representatives describe the deal as fair. The contract places the fire and police departments in comparable ranges of compensation.

"I have no problem looking at anyone in the eye and telling them that this is a good, fair contract," said Stratford firefighter John Conway, president of Firefighters Local 998.

Councilman Jim Feehan, R- 9, praised both the union and the administration for avoiding what could have been a costly arbitration. "They were very fair and they bargained in extremely good faith," Feehan said.

Talks between the Fire Department members and the town turned contentious late last year, particularly over health care benefits. It appeared arbitration was inevitable.