California state firefighters gain 11 to 18 percent raises in proposed contract
State firefighters got an early Christmas present with the news that their union reached a tentative agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, for a four-year contract offering raises in a range of 11 to 18 percent.
The announcement follows a campaign the union launched during last summer’s fire season that drew attention to a growing gap between the salaries its members earn and the wages paid by local governments for comparable work. A 2014 survey showed they earn 33 percent less in total compensation than their counterparts in other California fire departments.
“We still have a lot of issues to address. Our salaries will still be behind our local government counterparts, but it puts us on a path with the administration to start fixing the problem,” said Cal Fire Local 2881 Rank and File Director Tim Edwards.
The union, which represents about 6,000 firefighters, had six months remaining on its current contract. The union exercised an option to open the contract earlier this year, and the new agreement would replace the expiring one if members approve it.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article122872354.html
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