Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Fire topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Meriden adopts four-year fire contract; city to shift eligible firefighters to IAFF health plan
Summary
Council approved a four-year tentative agreement with the fire union that incorporates MOUs into the contract, offers comp time options, adjusts funeral leave for 12‑hour shifts, raises uniform allowances and tuition reimbursement, and—per finance analysis—shifts eligible firefighters to the IAFF trust, saving the city nearly $1 million in year two.
HR Director Kathy Zygmunt and Finance Director Kevin McBoe presented a four-year tentative agreement for the fire department, which the meeting record shows expired on July 1, 2024 and had been the subject of extended negotiations. Kevin told the council that, based on analysis by brokers on both sides, "if the fire union really wanted to transition to that plan, the city ends up saving in year 2 a little less than 1000000 dollars," and that firefighters would also pay lower premiums under the IAFF plan.
The contract incorporates previously negotiated memoranda of understanding and makes a number of operational and benefits changes: firefighters may elect comp time in lieu of overtime for call-ins; funeral‑leave calculations were adjusted to reflect 12‑hour shifts (current members in tier 1 retain 12‑hour holiday pay for retirement calculations); the uniform allowance increases by $100; and tuition reimbursement limits were increased (undergraduate to $1,600; graduate to $2,200). The fire marshal's office no longer requires EMT certification for those assigned to that office unless they later return to the line.
Staff said the IAFF plan option is unique to firefighters because its eligibility rules limit enrollment to fire personnel; the city described the move as a net savings and as not setting a precedent for other bargaining units. City Manager Bridal Daniels emphasized the uniqueness of the IAFF trust and said other unions had not expressed interest in switching to that plan. Councilors asked about the timing of annual physicals and cancer screenings; staff explained the phased inclusion of those services under the new plan.
The council approved the fire TA by voice vote after councilors discussed contract language cleanups, pension timing that delayed negotiations, and the incorporation of MOUs. Staff said HR and finance will implement the insurance transition and other contract changes following final ratification.
