WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Town Council approved a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the town's firefighters last week, adopting changes to wages, work schedules, health insurance and department operations.
The council voted 8-0 Aug. 12 to approve the agreement with West Hartford Local 1241 of the International Association of Firefighters. Republican Town Councilor Dr. Jason Wang recused himself from the vote.
Democratic Town Councilor Tiffani McGinnis made the motion to approve the contract, which was seconded by Democratic Councilor Lisa Lazarus.
The agreement covers July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, making its terms retroactive to last summer.
It provides an average annual wage increase of 1.83% for unionized members of the West Hartford Fire Department, which is a paid department.
The contract also changes firefighters' work schedules.
The previous schedule consisted of three 10-hour day shifts and three 14-hour night shifts, with alternating days off.
Under the new rotation, firefighters will work 24 hours, have 48 hours off, work another 24 hours, and then receive 96 hours off.
The agreement also increases in-network health insurance deductibles.
Individual deductibles will rise from $1,500 to $2,000, while family deductibles will increase from $3,000 to $4,000.
Other provisions require promotional vacancies to be filled within 120 days and establish a $25,000 fund for training and fitness equipment.
The town will contribute $20,000 to the fund and the union will contribute $5,000.
According to the council resolution, the town and union reached two tentative agreements, one covering salaries and another covering benefits and working conditions.
Local 1241 ratified the agreements on Feb. 17 and June 1, respectively.
West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith recommended approval.
The resolution authorizes Ledwith to execute and implement the agreements.
The contract is also intended to update compensation and scheduling as the West Hartford Fire Department handles increasing call volumes and workloads.
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, a Democrat who participated in the meeting by phone, thanked West Hartford firefighters and paramedics and spoke about their role in helping residents during emergencies.
Cantor said her appreciation was also fueled by a family member's experience with an illness.
"I needed to express my appreciation to our firefighters and paramedics," Cantor said.
She also thanked town and fire officials involved in negotiating the agreement, acknowledging that reaching a deal had been difficult.
"It was a hard one and, again, everybody has made progress, and everyone has a shared commitment to make this a better place to work," Cantor said.
Cantor pointed to residents whose lives have been saved by firefighters and paramedics and recalled the WHFD's work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I could share so many anecdotes from people who have had their lives saved. These stories are real, and these are life and death stories," Cantor said.
Council Minority Leader John Lyons, a Republican, also praised firefighters who attended the meeting and their support for West Hartford Fire Chief Greg Priest.
"I love looking out and seeing a whole group of West Hartford's bravest here, and it's very moving to have you be here and be so supportive and stand behind your chief the way you are," Lyons said.
Lyons, a new member of the council, thanked town and fire officials for explaining the agreement and the details of firefighter contracts to him.
He also raised the timing of the negotiations, saying he would like future agreements completed before the preceding contract expires.
"In a perfect world, in fairness to these great men and women, I'd like to see the contract happen on time. For a goal, maybe, next time, we could do that," Lyons said.
The new agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2025, more than a year before the council's vote.
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