Livonia council approves three-year firefighters contract with roughly 20% pay increase

Livonia — The Livonia City Council unanimously approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement for the Livonia Firefighters Union covering Dec. 1, 2024, through Nov. 30, 2027, and separately approved corresponding salary and fringe adjustments for the fire chief and deputy chief.

The civil service department presented the contract in the council meeting. “We want to be a destination employer,” Janine Leibel of the civil service department said, summarizing the administration’s goals. Leibel told council the contract was negotiated to address recruiting challenges and keep Livonia competitive with nearby municipal employers.

The agreement includes an approximate 20% wage increase spread over three years for rank-and-file firefighters, elimination of wage tiers that had previously created near‑hire-date disparities, a promotion bonus tied to a comprehensive assessment center, an additional paid holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and a workers‑compensation supplement consistent with other bargaining units. Leibel also described a medical expense reimbursement plan available through the union and said the union membership approved the agreement by about an 80% vote.

Council members who spoke praised the outcome. “They are our heroes,” Councilman Rob Donovic said, adding that balancing fiscal responsibility with public‑safety staffing is a top council priority.

Council also approved a separate motion to extend equivalent salary and benefit adjustments to the fire chief and deputy chief so department leadership is not disadvantaged after stepping out of the bargaining unit. Administration staff explained those changes mirror the bargaining‑unit benefits and are intended to retain leaders who rose through the ranks.

Votes at a glance - Collective bargaining agreement with Livonia Firefighters Union (12/01/2024–11/30/2027): approved, vote 6–0. - Salary and fringe benefit adjustments for fire chief and deputy chief (same period): approved, vote 6–0.

What happens next The contract is effective for the stated period; the city will implement the pay and benefit changes as negotiated. The civil service department said some program details (for example, administration of the medical reimbursement plan) will be carried out by the union or through employee benefit vendors.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this report are drawn from the council meeting transcript and include civil service department staff and council members who discussed the contract.