Webster Groves fire fighters, city agree to new four-year contract

Fire fighters to receive 23 percent pay hike, longevity benefits

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Missouri Correspondent

After months of contentious negotiations and court battles, Webster Groves and Fire Fighters Local 2665 have agreed to a new four-year collective bargaining agreement ending a dispute over minimum staffing requirements while providing fire fighters with a 23 percent wage increase over the life of the contract.

In March, Webster Groves unilaterally ended the fire fighters’ contract after the city claimed negotiations with Local 2665 stalled despite the union’s willingness to continue talks. The union sued the city, and a St. Louis County judge ordered the city to reinstate the contract.

‘HAPPY TO GET THIS RESOLVED’
“Through a full day of court-ordered mediation, we were able to come to an agreement,” said John Youngblood, IAFF Local 2665 4^th District vice president. “Overall, both sides were very happy to get this resolved.”

The main sticking points in negotiations stemmed around minimum staffing requirements and overtime costs. The city wanted to drop to 10 fire fighters on duty, while NFPA safety codes call for 12 to ensure proper fire fighting capability.

“The new contract requires the city staff 12 fire fighters per shift – but in case of illness or absence – only requires the city to pay overtime to keep 10 fire fighters on each shift which will help with overtime costs to the city,” Youngblood said. “We agreed to the concession.”

LONGSTANDING BENEFITS
In addition to the 23 percent pay raise, which includes eight percent the first fiscal year and five percent the remaining three years, Youngblood said the contract also retains longstanding benefits including a two percent annual cost-of-living increase, a step pay plan, an annual $1,000 stipend and an annual “longevity” bonus for employees who reach the top of their pay scale.

The new contract, which covers 33 fire fighters and paramedics, expires June 30, 2027.