Council gave final approval on Monday night to a new four-year contract with Collingwood Fire that will see staff receive a pay boost.
“I hope this is the last one I have to negotiate before I retire,” said Collingwood Fire Chief Ross Parr, with a laugh when the item came to the table. “It’s good for us. There were a lot of concessions from the association, and we believe the costing moving forward was considerate to the corporation as well.”
According to the new agreement, salaries and benefits for staff will be increased by approximately 1.75 per cent in each of the first three years and 1.5 per cent in the final year of the agreement. These impacts will be included in the respective annual operating budgets.
“For one hour and 21 minutes of arguing, I think we did really well,” he added.
Provisions in the new agreement also include reimbursement of the cost of the medical requirement for DZ licenses, and one improvement to a paramedical coverage in each of the first three years. Changes will be made to the prevention schedule that will provide for expanded service hours, the Fourth Class salary level will cover a longer period of time for new hires, and certain overtime and vacation provisions will be changed that will reduce the accrued liability to the town.
The Collingwood Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, Local 938, I.A.F.F. (CPFFA) represents 27 employees in the Fire Department. Their current agreement expires Dec. 31.
The renewed collective agreement will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020, and will end Dec. 31, 2023.
