CONTRACT AGREEMENT Firefighters get raises, break on health costs

The new agreement expires in March 2007. BOARDMAN -- Township firefighters are getting 12 percent raises spread over three years and don't have to pay for health insurance. Firefighter Jim Hoover, president of the firefighters union, International Association of Firefighters Local 1176, said trustees and firefighters have signed the pact, which is retroactive to April 1, 2004. The union represents 42 firefighters, captains, assistant fire chiefs and fire prevention officers. Firefighters get 4 percent raises this year, and on April 1 in 2005 and 2006. The pact expires March 31, 2007. A senior firefighter, who now makes $48,503 plus overtime, will have a base salary of $54,541 when the contract expires. A beginning firefighter, who now makes $31,501, will have a salary of $34,091 by 2007. Fact finder aids deal Hoover said contract talks began in January. Joe Gardner, a Canfield lawyer and fact finder, met with the union and township Sept. 14, and he filed his report Sept. 28. The fact-finding report, which either side could have rejected, contained the pay raises and also recommended the township continue paying the full tab for the union's health-care benefits. Hoover said the only change is a requirement that all firefighters go to a Preferred Provider Organization health-care plan. Trustee Kathy Miller said she would have liked to get co-pays from the union in the contract, but the fact finder rejected that option. "I am glad the contract is resolved, and we can concentrate on doing the things we need to do to protect the township and its residents," Miller said. "The firefighters are extremely well-trained and do an excellent job." Town prevails on staffing The firefighters had wanted new language on staffing, but the fact finder and township rejected that language, he added. Hoover said that since 1979, the minimum-staffing requirement has been eight firefighters on duty each day. The union had wanted the staffing increased from two firefighters per truck to three per truck and a supervisor. With the firefighters under contract, the township now continues negotiating with dispatchers and road department members. The trustees are implementing a belt-tightening campaign for the 2005 budget and beyond to hold down spending. Trustees already have told the police and fire departments their capital improvement budgets for next year will be cut in half, from $200,000 to $100,000. The clerk's office is re-evaluating overtime costs submitted by employees, and there will be no new positions. Only replacement positions will be filled.