Stamford Board of Representatives Reach Decision on Local Fire Union Contract

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Representatives Monday voted unanimously to approve the city’s new contract with the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association (SPFFA), the union announced.

The final vote was 21-0 with four abstentions. The new contract is retroactive to 2011 and lasts to 2018. It was approved last week by 78 percent of SPFFA Local 786 members, with a record 95 percent turnout for the union vote.

The labor agreement grants professional fire fighters a 16.25 percent pay increase over the eight years, and increases staffing from 52 to 54 fire fighters on duty at any given time. The union came to an agreement with the Mayor David Martin's administration in July and then fire fighters approved it on Aug. 4. The Board of Representatives vote now officially enacts the deal, which goes into effect immediately.

"I would like to thank the members of the Board of Representatives, who decided, after a thoughtful and deliberative process, that this agreement is in the best interests of our fire fighters, our citizens, and all the taxpayers of Stamford," Brendan Keatley, President of the SPFFA, said in a statement. "This is a fair contract that protects professional fire fighters and provides us with the support we need to protect the lives and property of everyone in our city."

According to the union, in addition to the wages and staff increases, "the contract addresses important safety issues to bring Stamford in compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, as well as resolving several contested outstanding state labor board cases" between the city and the bargaining unit.

It ends a period of six years during fire fighters were working without an agreement.

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