City Agrees to One-Year Extension of Firefighters' Contract

The City Council has approved a one-year extension of the firefighters' current contract that keeps salary and pension costs at the same level, but increases medical benefits.

“I’m pleased to bring back a no-change agreement,” City Manager Blair King told the City Council, which voted unanimously to accept the contract.  “It helps stabilize costs,” he said.

The starting salary for a firefighter in Coronado remains a little over $53,000 a year, which is in line with other cities and counties in the state, union president Jason Clements said.

The boost to medical benefits is the same that other city employees received earlier this year.

While Clements appreciates the fiscal realities, he wouldn’t mind seeing a return to annual cost-of-living increases.

“The economy is driving the issue,” he said.

The one-year contract affords the union an opportunity to negotiate a salary increase next year if the city enjoys a revenue boost.

On the other hand, the extension gives the city some cost stability on pension obligations, which are tied to salaries.

Currently, the city is negotiating with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Negotiations with police have yet to begin, according to a city spokesperson.

The firefighters were the first up and everything appeared to go well.  

“We have a good relationship with the city,” Clements said. “We understand the policy issues involved.”

The union did see an increase in members' medical allotment because the city boosted the benefit for all employees this year.

In January, the per-employee allotment rose to $1,321 from $1,061 per month. 

“It’s a part of a standard “me-too clause,“ Clements explained. The clause would also apply to any wage increase another city union might win.