Contract Negotiations Break Down Between Firefighters, Town Of Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield’s firefighters have been working without a contract since July, and negotiations with the town have eroded, leading the union last month to seek arbitration, its leaders said.

“Our contract negotiations broke down after six months and we filed for arbitration,” said William Tuttle, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 1426, which represents 93 uniformed members in town.

The Jan. 31 filing is the first time the Fairfield union has sought arbitration in the 20 years Tuttle has worked for the fire department, he said, citing an “adversarial relationship with our human resources director.”

“From their side, there’s been no negotiation,” Tuttle said.

The town initially offered 1.25 percent annual raises for four years, before eventually increasing its offer to 2 percent on the condition that the union accept less sick leave and higher health care contributions, according to Tuttle. The agreement also would have allowed the town to punish union members more freely without going to the fire commission, Tuttle said.

The union pushed for a 4 percent annual wage increase, he said, due in part to the past year's 7.5 percent inflation.

While Fairfield Human Resources Director James Haselkamp declined to discuss contract proposal specifics, he took issue with Tuttle’s characterization of the situation.

“The fact that they have demands that we don’t agree with doesn’t mean we aren’t negotiating,” he said. “The state has a process to resolve contract disputes.”

Starting pay for firefighters in Fairfield is $66,459, according to information provided by union leadership. Assistant chiefs start at $102,702. Fairfield’s senior-most firefighters make 20 percent less than their counterparts in New Canaan and about $5 less per hour than a patrol officer with the Fairfield Police Department, according to union Vice President Erik Kalapir.

“We just want to be treated fair and respectfully and we didn’t feel that that was what was occurring during negotiations,” Kalapir said. “I’m hopeful that the town will come back to us when they realize the economic conditions that exist and the new normal as it pertains to workers’ wages and inflation.”