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Dearborn Heights council approves four-year tentative contract with firefighters union
Summary
The council approved a tentative collective-bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 1355 that the mayor and union called collaborative; the deal includes phased wage increases and provisions intended to limit arbitration and overtime costs.
The Dearborn Heights City Council voted to approve a tentative collective-bargaining agreement with the Dearborn Heights firefighters, IAFF Local 1355, covering a four-year period that the administration described as matched to recently negotiated police patrol pay. The administration reported nominal increases phased across the contract and said the agreement includes measures designed to reduce legal and arbitration expenses.
Why it matters: Firefighter staffing, overtime costs and compensation are central to public-safety budgets. The administration described the deal as the result of several brief negotiation sessions, and the mayor urged unanimous support.
Details: The mayor summarized the contract as including annual percentage increases (described in discussion by staff as 1.5 percent for each listed annual step in the summary) and language intended to better manage overtime and protect the city's budget. Union leaders were present at the meeting and the mayor credited collaborative negotiations that did not require arbitration or legal fees.
Vote: Council moved and seconded the motion to approve the tentative agreement and authorize the mayor and clerk to sign a final contract when changes are incorporated and the document is completed. The motion carried by voice vote; staff noted the contract will be finalized and returned for signatures.
Next steps: Administration will incorporate agreed changes, finalize the written contract and present the completed document for signature by the mayor and clerk once legal review is complete.
