Posted: June 22, 2009 15:12:48 PST
City of Bellingham labor negotiators and executive board representatives of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 106 and 106S, which represent the Bellingham Firefighters/Medics and Fire Department Supervisors, respectively, have reached a tentative one-year agreement for 2010. This agreement will not include a salary/wage increase. Additional adjustments to the current contract, governing the balance of 2009, will also mean financial savings for the City.
The two units’ existing contracts are scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2009. The tentative agreement must still be ratified by members of the two bargaining units and the Bellingham City Council. Details about the agreement will be made available after it has been ratified by members and approved by the City Council, according to City labor negotiators and bargaining unit leaders.
“I want to thank 106 and 106S for their leadership during these difficult budget times,” said Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike. “This agreement helps us achieve both our 2010 financial and public safety goals,” he said. Pike said he estimates the changes being implemented by management prerogative and those contained in the tentative agreement will save the City an estimated $260,000 in 2009 and $760,000 in 2010.
“Our bargaining team understands the extraordinary circumstances facing the City,” said Rob Wilson, Bellingham Fire Department Division Chief and President of the affected bargaining units. “At the same time, we owe our hardworking members and their families as much protection as possible as they endure the same financial stresses, “ Wilson said.
Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Boyd hailed the tentative agreement and reported that changes initiated by management and those contained in the tentative agreement would keep the Department strong and on task while at the same time shouldering its share of the needed budget reductions the national recession has forced on the City.
Pike said he expects to ask the City Council to consider the agreement at its regular meeting on June 29. The two bargaining units are expected to soon schedule special meetings of their memberships to also consider ratification.
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Media Contacts:
David Webster, Chief Administrative Officer
778-8100 or dwebster@cob.org
Robert A. Wilson, President, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 106 and 106S
Division Chief, Bellingham Fire Department
778-8432 or 815-1008 or rwilson@cob.org
