Oak Creek council ratifies three‑year contract with firefighters union covering 2025–2027

The Oak Creek Common Council on Aug. 19 approved an ordinance confirming a successor labor agreement between the city and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1848 that covers Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.

Deputy city administrator and finance officer Max Gagan summarized the negotiations, noting the city bargaining team and Local 1848 reached a tentative agreement following mediation and that the union membership ratified the contract on July 15, 2025. The agreement centers on wage adjustments and managing rising health‑insurance costs.

Key economic terms in the agreement summarized to the council include a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2025; a 3.5% adjustment on Jan. 1, 2026; and a 3.5% adjustment on Jan. 1, 2027. The contract also phases an increase in the members’ premium share for health insurance from 10% to 13% effective Jan. 1, 2027, adds the day after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday to align with other non‑represented employees, and standardizes sick‑leave payout provisions across the bargaining unit.

Council discussion: Members who participated in bargaining described the negotiations as lengthy and robust and expressed that the agreement balanced the union’s request with the city’s fiscal considerations. One council member thanked the bargaining team and Local 1848 leadership for reaching a settlement.

Action: The council approved ordinance 31-31 confirming adoption of the successor agreement and fixing salaries for the bargaining unit for the three‑year term. The motion carried on roll call.

Implementation: The finance office will implement pay adjustments and payroll changes in accordance with the contract’s effective dates and will reflect the adopted changes in the city’s salary schedules and benefits administration. The contract language also incorporated several memoranda of understanding and technical corrections reached during the bargaining process.