Indianapolis EMS District Settles First Contract

January 23, 2009 – Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) EMS District service personnel in Indiana have negotiated their first contract with the City thanks to Indianapolis Local 416.

The EMS District formed January 1, 2007, when the IFD merged with Washington Township and Warren Township. Since EMS District employees were new hires, they were considered probationary. Therefore, a contract could not be negotiated at the time. A new mayor was elected which further delayed negotiations.

In September 2008, the City was ready to begin contract discussions. The agreement was later ratified with a 100 percent yes vote in January 2009.

It is a three-year contract with a signing bonus of $1,240. Wage provisions include a 3 percent increase in 2009, a 2 percent increase in 2010 and a 3 percent increase in 2011. If the EMS District has a surplus in revenue for any given year, the surplus will be divided among employees as a bonus.

The ambulance transport employees will also have a 457 one-to-four match and there is language to start a Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP) with the IAFF Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC).

If all positions are filled, the contract will benefit 69 employees.