Council adopts tentative settlement with Two Rivers firefighters union

The Two Rivers City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Jan. 5 to approve a tentative settlement agreement with Two Rivers Firefighters IAFF Local 423 that sets wage adjustments and updates benefits and hiring provisions for a three‑year contract running Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028.

Union representatives summarized the agreement during the meeting. Union president Joe Ewertz said the contract “puts us just in the middle” of comparable jurisdictions and described it as a fair three‑year package. He outlined key elements: changes to sick‑leave accrual (from half‑day per month to three‑quarters‑day, equating to about nine days a year), a one‑day vacation bonus for employees who avoid using a 24‑hour block of sick time, a formal lateral‑entry program to recruit experienced firefighter‑paramedics from other departments, modest uniform allowance increases, and provisions tied to inter‑facility transports that preserve current pay incentives when those transports continue.

City staff and a council member noted the contract had been anticipated in the budget and said the settlement was negotiated in good faith with the aim of improving retention and reducing overtime. Council moved to waive reading and adopt the resolution; a roll‑call vote was recorded and the motion carried.

Council did not indicate changes to health insurance in the motion; discussions on broader health‑insurance strategy were noted as ongoing for 2026.

The resolution implements the tentative agreement; staff noted it had been negotiated since October and had been tentatively agreed to by both sides prior to council action.