Council ratifies three‑year IAFF contract covering 37 firefighters; estimated cost ~$1.5M
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Summary
Council ratified a tentative agreement with IAFF Local 1537 covering 37 employees for Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028, that increases minimum daily staffing to nine and includes wage adjustments, a 2% senior paramedic premium, increased sick‑leave cash‑out and other premiums; staff estimated the cumulative three‑year cost at about $1.5 million.
Anacortes City Council on Feb. 9 adopted a resolution to ratify a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1537 covering the period Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028.
HR Director Kendall Moyle summarized the bargaining history: negotiations began in October 2025, concluded after six sessions with a tentative agreement on Jan. 15, 2026 and subsequent unanimous IAFF membership ratification on Jan. 28, 2026. The IAFF unit represents 37 employees (the city noted four current vacancies). Key economic terms included wage adjustments, the addition of a 2% senior paramedic premium, increased longevity premiums based on months of service, the introduction of specialty premiums, an increase in sick‑leave cash‑out upon retirement, increased leave accruals for lateral hires effective Jan. 1, 2021, and an increase in minimum daily staffing to 9.
Staff estimated the cumulative cost of the three‑year agreement at approximately $1,500,000. Council moved and adopted resolution 3204 authorizing execution of the agreement.
Quote: “The city really appreciates the work of the fire department and the participation of the fire union in negotiating this contract,” the mayor said after the vote.
What’s next: The resolution authorizes execution of the agreement; HR and finance staff will incorporate the contract terms into the city’s payroll and budgetary projections.
