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Commission approves 2025 collective bargaining agreement with Athens‑Clarke County firefighters
Summary
The commission approved the 2025 update to the collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Firefighters of Athens‑Clarke County (IAFF Local 2795), a move speakers said will support hiring, retention and training.
The Athens‑Clarke County mayor and commission on June 3 approved an updated 2025 collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Firefighters of Athens‑Clarke County IAFF Local 2795.
Local leadership and union representatives asked the commission to ratify the agreement, saying it strengthens staffing, improves retention and supports firefighter morale. Jeremy Williams, vice president of the local, thanked the commission and the manager’s office, and said the agreement had led to “huge improvements with our firefighters, including our staffing, retention, [and] morale.”
Union leaders listed benefits they say have accrued since the initial bargaining agreement: improved staffing and retention, expanded training opportunities, mental‑health supports, and mutual aid deployments. Fire union officials asked the commission to continue funding public‑safety needs and to approve the agreement as presented.
Commissioners voted in favor of the agreement; the meeting record shows unanimous support. The commission directed staff to implement the contract provisions and continue collaboration with fire department leadership on staffing and service improvements.
The union and commission said they will continue to work on recruitment, training and hazard response improvements; several commissioners and public speakers praised the union’s outreach and the department’s recent performance.
