Arizona Local Settles First Contract With City

Local 4561 officers and members from left: Vice President Carlos Schulz, Andrew Boland, Chuck Matthews, President Richard Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer Lonnie Inskeep

November 24, 2008 – After re-gaining its meet and confer rights earlier this year, Maricopa, AZ Local 4561 has recently negotiated its first contract with the City. The contract makes provisions for improved wages, benefits and working conditions.

“It was no easy task coming to an agreement, but this contract is fair and will give fire fighters the same security they had with the fire district,” says Richard Jackson, president of Local 4561.

Per the contract provisions, fire fighters will have the opportunity gain up to a 7.5 percent wage increase each year and receive special assignment pay for Tactical Rescue Team (TRT) and HazMat team operations. Additionally, when overtime is calculated, sick and vacation leave will be factored in as time worked.

Until 2007, Local 4561 fire fighters were governed and funded by a fire district. Under the district system, fire fighters had meet and confer rights. When the fire fighters agreed to support a ballot measure establishing a public safety tax, those tax dollars allowed the City to bring fire fighters in as City employees.

But for nine months following the passage of the ballot initiative, City officials would not agree to meet and confer with Maricopa fire fighters.

Meanwhile, the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA) President Tim Hill and Executive Vice President Byran Jeffries stepped in to facilitate improved labor-management relations. In addition, the IAFF assigned Phoenix Local 493 member Mike Gibson to provide negotiations training. The International also provided supportive analysis and data to assist with contractual arguments.

The new contract is valid through 2010.