Health Care Concessions, Reduced OT Costs Part of Ferndale Firefighters Contract

The city of Ferndale is expected to see savings of more than $200,000 after a new contract with the city’s firefighters was approved Jan. 9.

Ferndale City Manager April McGrath said the city had been “working diligently” over the past few months to ratify the contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 810 union.

City firefighters have been without a contract since June 2008.

The firefighters union ratified the contract Jan. 2 and reviewed the contract in a closed session before their Jan. 9 meeting at . Council members unanimously approved the agreement later that evening.

Contract includes health care changes, overtime reductions

McGrath said the city would realize cost savings of “well over $200,000” with the new agreement, mainly from health care concessions, changes to future employees' health care and pension plans and reductions in overtime costs.

Details of the contract include a wage freeze and adjustments to employee healthcare benefits to make them “in alignment with other city personnel,” McGrath said.

The new contract also increases the minimum number of firefighters on duty because it lowered how many can be on vacation at one time, McGrath said. It increases the minimum number of firefighters on duty from six to seven, she said.

McGrath said arbitration dates had already been set when she came in as city manager and she is appreciative that the union was willing to continue to talk.

"Both sides being willing to keep talking was what made it happen. I commend the fire union for being willing to sit down with me," she said.

'I'm glad it's over,' fire chief says

Ferndale Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said he attributes the long-awaited agreement to McGrath.

“I think when we finally got a replacement city manager that was permanent, when April came in I think that’s helped a lot and her style and skills were excellent,” Sullivan said. “It was the right person for the right job at the right moment. She brought a lot of the talent that resolved the issue.”

As for the outcome of the negotiations, Sullivan said he feels the contract is fair.

“I don’t believe either side got exactly what they want, which is typical, but I believe it’s as fair and equitable as you’re going to get in this environment,” he said.

Sullivan is also glad to have more time to focus on other issues in the department.

“I’m glad that it’s over. It consumed a lot of time,” he said.

Council thanks city, firefighters for negotiations

Councilman Mike Lennon said he appreciated the work from city management. “I would just like to thank you for all the hard work,” he said at the Jan. 9 council meeting after the contract was approved.

Ferndale Mayor David Coulter echoed the gratitude.

“Thank you for your negotiations,” he said, also thanking the firefighters. “They’ve been without a contract since 2008 and it was a priority when April came on board."