Medford Firefighters' Union, Mayor Agree To Pay Raise

MEDFORD, MA — A collective bargaining agreement for unionized firefighters in Medford was reached last week, Mayor Stephanie M. Burke and Eddie Buckley, president of Medford Firefighters Local 1032 announced Tuesday. The contract was accepted by the union Thursday, May 2.

"This contract recognizes and respects the hard work, sacrifice and the dedication of the
members of Local 1032," Burke said in a statement. "I am most proud of our ability to come together and work towards resolution for the men and women of the Medford Fire Department. I am appreciative that the members of the department acknowledge the importance of long-term fiscal stability for our city."

The four-year contract agreement provides union members a 2 percent pay increase on Jan. 1, 2018, 2 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2019, 2 percent pay increase on Jan. 1, 2020, and 2 percent increase on July 1, 2020. It also creates a new Hazardous Duty Stipend to reflect the unknown conditions firefighters face on a daily basis.

"This was a long and strenuous process and I’m glad we were able to sit down and negotiate a
fair contract for both the City and the members of Local 1032," Buckley said in a release.

An ordinance amendment which reflects the memorandum of agreement will be presented to the
city council for final approval on May 14, 2019.