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Aldermen approve new three‑year contract with firefighters’ union, create incident safety officer post
Summary
The Board approved a new collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 1339 that the union ratified on April 8. The contract adds an incident safety officer role, recognizes Juneteenth as a holiday and includes multi‑year pay increases the administration says make the department competitive.
The board approved a new collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the city and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1339 during Monday’s meeting, a pact the union reported was overwhelmingly supported by members who voted.
Thomas Paris, the city’s negotiator, described the changes to aldermen and said the agreement was designed to restore competitiveness compared with peer cities. David Sykes, president of Local 1339, told the board members that more than two‑thirds of the membership who voted ratified the contract and that the membership received it favorably.
Aldermen asked whether the contract keeps the city competitive with other Connecticut departments; negotiators said Hartford, Bridgeport, Bristol and New Britain have recently set or negotiated higher pay scales and that this agreement moves Waterberry closer to regional comparators.
The contract includes an incident safety officer position — an officer dedicated to monitoring operations at an incident scene to reduce risk to firefighters — a role that the union and the chief said other Connecticut cities implemented after line‑of‑duty deaths. Chief Lopez and union leaders said the new position improves on‑scene safety and aligns with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommendations.
The contract also identifies Juneteenth as a paid holiday and includes stipends for emergency medical services roles, as well as scoring preferences for residents seeking hiring advantage (a 10‑point residency bonus on the hiring test was discussed). Aldermen pressed about whether the agreement contained incentives to encourage firefighters to live in Waterberry; negotiators said the current language provides hiring scoring points rather than monetary residency bonuses.
The board approved the contract by voice vote; aldermen thanked the department and union leaders for reaching agreement. The contract will govern pay and terms for the upcoming three‑year period with year‑two increases starting July 1, 2026.
Provenance: The contract and ratification were discussed and approved in committee and then by the full board during the committee of the whole session.
