New agreement includes wage increases, improved pension plan
Firefighters in Nanaimo, B.C. have reached a deal with the city.
After more than two years at the bargaining table and failed mediation, the City of Nanaimo and International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 905 settled on a collective agreement last week. The deal was ratified through interest arbitration, according to the city.
As part of the 21-month agreement, firefighters will get a 5.5 per cent wage hike as well as an improved pension benefit plan. The tenth-year firefighter rate was also bumped up in exchange for scheduling provisions that reduce costs for benefits, overtime and wages for new recruits.
“I am pleased that a settlement has been reached on this critical agreement between the City of Nanaimo and the IAFF,” said mayor John Ruttan. “Bargaining is often a challenging process. I would like to acknowledge all parties for their time and commitment to successfully concluding these important discussions.”
Firefighters had been without a contract since 2010, and the first round of bargaining started in the spring of 2011.
