In a recent meeting, the Leander Fire Fighter Association discussed important updates to their collective bargaining agreement, focusing on bereavement leave and holiday pay policies. These changes aim to clarify benefits for firefighters and ensure alignment with city policies.

One significant update involves bereavement leave, which will now explicitly include domestic partners as part of the immediate family definition. This change reflects a growing recognition of diverse family structures and aims to provide support during difficult times. The association agreed to reference existing city policies for bereavement leave, simplifying the process for both management and staff.

Additionally, the meeting addressed holiday pay. Firefighters will receive time and a half for hours worked on designated holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. However, it was emphasized that this pay applies only when firefighters work on these holidays, not when they take the day off. The association plans to include a detailed list of these holidays in the contract to avoid any confusion.

The discussions also touched on the need for further review of physical requirements related to job performance, particularly concerning VO2 max and METs standards. The chief expressed the desire for more time to evaluate these criteria, indicating that future meetings will focus on refining these aspects of the agreement.

As the association prepares to finalize these updates, they plan to gather feedback from membership before formally adopting the changes. This collaborative approach ensures that the voices of firefighters are heard and considered in the decision-making process.

Overall, these discussions reflect the association's commitment to improving working conditions and benefits for firefighters in Leander, ultimately enhancing their ability to serve the community effectively.