Beaumont, firefighters reach tentative deals on holidays, pension and job-title wording; key pay and benefits remain unresolved

Beaumont and representatives of the Beaumont firefighters’ bargaining unit met in a mediated negotiation session where the parties reached tentative agreements on two contract items and on a housekeeping change to job‑title language, but left major pay and benefits questions unresolved.

The mediator convened the bargaining session during a scheduled mediation and caucus process; negotiators said they would reconvene to continue talks. The city and union tentatively agreed to Articles 13 (vacations and holidays) and Article 15 (pension), with the city stating, “the pension contribution shall not be subject to contract negotiations,” and those items recorded as tentatively agreed for incorporation in the draft contract.

Why it matters: The unresolved items include the union’s request for higher education and certification pay for EMTs and paramedics, a multi‑year wage proposal from the union, and a debated contractual definition of “benefit.” Those topics affect department staffing, recurring payroll costs and whether some management decisions will be subject to grievance/arbitration.

What was agreed

- Articles 13 and 15: Negotiators confirmed a tentative agreement on vacations/holidays and pension language. The city representative said, “the pension contribution shall not be subject to contract negotiations,” and…