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City approves three-year firefighters contract with pay increases to bolster recruitment
Summary
City Council approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 1882 that raises the starting firefighter wage to $54,000 and plans roughly 30% total wage increases across the contract period.
The City Council voted unanimously to approve a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Lawton Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 1882. City officials said the new contract updates pay and benefits after the city completed a lengthy negotiation process that followed a six-year prior agreement.
City staff and union negotiators told council the contract raises the starting firefighter wage to $54,000 — a roughly 13% increase in the first year — and represents about a 30% total pay increase over the three-year term. The agreement also includes a paramedic incentive increase that staff said aligns Lawton’s pay with nearby Norman; adds a paramedic education reimbursement program; revises a longevity incentive; adjusts uniform allowances; adds 48 hours of flexible holiday leave; modifies the work period to address Fair Labor Standards Act concerns; raises fire marshal standby pay; and updates health insurance and evaluation timing to match hire dates.
City negotiators said the prior six-year contract made it difficult to adapt to changing pay and labor rules, and they recommended a shorter three-year agreement. Council members praised the negotiating team and the local union for negotiating in good faith.
Outcome: The motion to approve the collective bargaining agreement passed 7–0. Council authorized signatures to finalize the contract.
Ending: Council recorded the agreement as a step to make the department more competitive for recruitment and retention and asked staff to proceed with contract execution.
