Modesto reaches deal with its firefighters

The city of Modesto has reached a proposed deal with its firefighters that calls for them to receive raises totaling 8.5 percent over the next 15 months as well as other benefits, such as the city paying more for their health insurance, while the firefighters pick up the full employee cost of their pensions.

The City Council is expected to consider approving the contract between Modesto and the Modesto City Fire Fighters Association at its Tuesday meeting. The union represents the Fire Department’s approximately 130 firefighters, fire engineers and fire captains. The association has been without a contract for nearly three years.

The proposed contract is from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2018, though the pay raises and other adjustments are not retroactive.

Councilman Bill Zoslocki said the proposed contract gives the city and its firefighters certainty for the next two years. He said it also gives the city more flexibility. For instance, the contract gives the city more latitude in determining staffing levels and allows it to release probationary employees without providing them the right to appeal.

MCFFA officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

A city report says the contract will cost Modesto $129,873 in its current budget year (with $97,500 of that a one-time cost) and then $7,889 in the next budget year and $48,169 in the following budget year. A budget year is July 1 to June 30.

The contract the council will consider calls for:

▪  The base salary for MCFFA members to increase 2.5 percent upon council adoption of the contract, then 2 percent in June, followed by 2 percent in December and 2 percent in June 2017. According to the city’s website, firefighters now earn $58,897 to $71,590 annually, fire engineers earn $65,012 to $79,022 and fire captains earn $75,393 to $91,641.

▪  MCFFA members to contribute 12 percent of their pay toward their California Public Employees’ Retirement System pensions. Members now pay 1.5 percent, 9 percent or 12 percent based on the pension rules in place when they started their careers, with newer employees in general contributing more. Members paying 1.5 percent will increase their contributions several times until reaching 12 percent in June 2017. Those paying 9 percent will see that rise to 12 percent in June 2017. Nearly all association members now pay 1.5 percent.

▪  The city shall pay more toward MCFFA members’ health insurance premiums. The city will make a one-time payment of $750 this year and then increase its monthly contribution in 2017 and 2018. For instance, the city will increase its payment to an MCFFA member with a family from $1,325 to $1,375 a month in 2017 and to $1,430 in 2018.

▪  Convert the 5 percent incentive pay MCFFA members receive for being certified as emergency medical technicians to a 5 percent increase in their base salary. The city report states all Modesto Fire Department sworn personnel, such as MCFFA members, are required to be EMT certified.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St. The council will hold a workshop after the meeting in room B300 in which it will discuss elements of the city’s 2015-18 strategic plan.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Modesto reaches deal with its firefighters."