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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 065-07
March 2, 2007

MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIFORMED FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION

Pay for Rookies Increased from $25,100 to $35,000

Collective Bargaining Agreement Includes Over 8% Wage Increase, Total Compensation Increases Almost 10%, and Covers Over 8,900 Firefighters, Fire Marshals and Fireboat Wipers

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Uniformed Firefighters’ Association (UFA) President Stephen J. Cassidy today announced that a tentative contract settlement has been reached on a collective bargaining agreement covering the period from August 1, 2006 through July 31, 2008. The agreement covers two years, and it includes an 8.16% wage increase and a significantly improved salary structure for newly hired employees including those hired after the first class of 2006. When a uniform differential of 1.5% is factored in, total compensation increases by almost 10%. Under the agreement, the salary for rookie Firefighters is increased by $10,000 to $35,000. The agreement is funded, in part, through productivity enhancements and other measurable savings.  This settlement establishes the parameters for this round of bargaining with the uniformed services.

“This is a great example of a union coming to the table and making a good faith effort to reach an agreement,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “By working together the City and the UFA have provided for raises for union members. We want to give equitable wage increases to all City employees. I am pleased this contract does that in an especially important area, the pay for rookie Firefighters.”

“Today’s agreement represents a significant raise for New York City Firefighters and the introduction of specialty pay, which has been sought by this union for over twenty years,” said UFA President Steve Cassidy. “I thank the Mayor and Commissioner Hanley.”

The principal features of the settlement, including compounded wage increases of over 8%, and total compensation increases of almost 10% during the contract for current Firefighters, are as follows:

• 4% salary increase effective August 1, 2006
• 4% salary increase compounded, effective August 1, 2007

At the end of this contract, a Firefighter’s basic maximum salary will be $68,475.

• New Hires:

Effective April 1, 2007, the salary schedule for Firefighters newly appointed, including those hired after the first class of 2006, will be as follows:

  Effective
April 1, 2007
Entry Rate $35,000
After One Year $36,725
After Two Years $40,000
After Three Years $44,000
After Four Years $48,500
Basic Maximum after 5 years $65,841

• Special Assignment

Effective July 1, 2007, there will be an assignment differential of twelve percent (12%) payable to a category of Firefighters detailed on “special assignment” to Hazmat and Rescue Companies upon satisfactory completion of a review period established by the Fire Department.

• Longevity Schedule

Effective September 1, 2007, the longevity schedule will be increased by $1,000 at each step.

• Chauffeur/Tillerman Differential

Effective September 1, 2007, the differential for performing Chauffeur or Tillerman duties will be increased to 3.00%.

• Security Benefit Fund

Effective July 31, 2008, the City’s contribution to the Welfare Fund (Security Benefit Fund) will be increased by $80.00 per annum per retiree, for retirees only.

• Uniform Allowance

Effective July 31, 2008, the amount paid by the City to each Fire Marshal for a uniform allowance will be increased by $1,100 per annum.

• Legislative Support

The UFA will support legislation for a new article 1B medical board.

• Annuity

Effective April 1, 2007, for employees hired on or after April 1, 2007, the $1,150 additional annuity contribution remitted by the City of New York on behalf of employees during the first one and one-half years of service shall cease.

Effective April 1, 2007, for employees hired on or after April 1, 2007, there shall be no annuity contributions remitted during the employees’ first five years of service.

• Night Shift Differential

Effective April 1, 2007, for employees hired on or after April 1, 2007, the night shift differential otherwise payable will be reduced by fifty percent (50%) during the first five (5) years of service.

• Holidays

Effective April 1, 2007, for employees hired on or after April 1, 2007, there will be six (6) fewer paid holidays during the first five (5) years of service.  That is, there will be three (3) fewer paid holidays reflected in each of the two holiday checks.

At the announcement the Mayor thanked Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, UFA President Stephen Cassidy and his Executive Board, Labor Commissioner James F. Hanley and First Deputy Commissioner Pamela S. Silverblatt and their team, and Budget Director Mark Page and his staff for their efforts in reaching this Agreement.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Jason Post   (212) 788-2958




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