SALEM Arbitrator proposes raises for firefighters

SALEM -- Pay raises for city firefighters are proposed in a report issued through an arbitration process between firefighters and the city administration.
The arbitrator recommends a three-year contract in which firefighters receive wage increases of 3 percent the first year and 3.5 percent in each of the remaining two years.
Unless one or both of the parties challenge the contract in court, it will take effect, Capt. Tom Eastek, president of Firefighters Local 283, said this morning.
The arbitration process contained no other changes to the previous contract between the city and firefighters.
The firefighters contract had expired June 30.
Before going to arbitration, the city and the union had agreed to increase vacation days to a maximum of 15 days after 24 years of service.
No other benefits change as a result of the contract bargaining, which has been ongoing for months.
Eastek was uncertain how much the wage package will cost the city.
Not counting the pay raises, beginning firefighters make about $24,600 a year. The highest paid members of the department, captains, earn about $38,500 a year.
There are no changes to firefighters' insurance package in which the city pays the $267 monthly premium for a single person plan. Firefighters will continue to contribute $30 per month to the $772 premium for the family plan.