"I'm very happy and I'm sure my members are," said Firefighter Robert Whitbread, president of the Bridgeport Fire Fighters Association Local 834. "It's been a long time."

"It's a relief," he added. The previous contract expired three years ago.

Rank-and-file firefighters have already approved the contract.

The new contract, which is retroactive to July 1, 2004, gives raises of 2.5 percent for 2004 and 2005; 3 percent for 2006 through 2008; and 2.75 percent on June 30, 2009, according to the agreement.

Also, the city employees will contribute 12 percent of the monthly cost of their insurance benefits.

In addition, the union will withdraw its grievance before the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration regarding the indefinite closing of Engine Co. 5, said City Councilman Richard M. Paoletto Jr., D-138.

That agreement, along with the rest of the contract, passed the Contracts Committee with little comment, Paoletto, the committee co-chairman, said.

The fire company was disbanded two years ago to bridge a $1.2 million shortfall, due to overtime.

The other co-chairman, Councilman Thomas Mulligan, D-130, said the union dropped the grievance in exchange for the 2.75 percent raise in 2009.

With the grievance withdrawn, the city and the union agreed to have a minimum of 61 firefighters on duty at all times, rather than the 65 under the prior contract. The four-person difference comes from the loss of the four-person Engine 5.

Mulligan said the contract is a morale booster for the Fire Department.

Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.