http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-935802.mp3
Macomb, IL – Macomb firefighters won't have to worry about their contract for a few years. City council members ratified a new three-year pact with the employees, who had already approved it.
The deal is retroactive to May 1, 2010. It expires April 30, 2013.
The contract allows Macomb firefighters to live anywhere within McDonough County. Previously they were required to live within Macomb city limits.
But those who cannot respond quickly to emergencies will no longer be paid from the moment the alarm is sounded.
"If a firefighter is responding to a call and is not there within half-an-hour, then that fireman is limited only to being paid for time actually worked," said City Administrator Dean Torreson.
No pay raise is given for the first year of the contract. But extra money is provided for longevity:
Year 2 - Increase to $1000 (currently $775)
Year 4 - Increase to $1000 (currently $775)
Year 6 - Increase to $1000 (currently $775)
Year 9 - Increase to $1000 (currently $800)
There are also certification pay increases in the first year of the contract:
FAE Certification - Increase to $300 (currently $200)
FFIII Certification - Increase to $300 (currently $200)
In a memo, the city said the longevity and certification pay increases amount to an average increase of 1.78% in pay for bargaining unit members.
Firefighters will receive pay raises of 1.5% in each of the final two years of the contract.