Alexandria Firefighter Collective Bargaining Agreement Finalized With Funding Commitment

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Tuesday, Alexandria City Council took a step to finalize the collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters union, which affects Alexandria Fire Department employees. This is the second collective bargaining agreement reached under Virginia legislation that reinstated collective bargaining with local governments.

Alexandria was allowed to conduct collective bargaining for the first time since a 1977 Virginia Supreme Court ruling stopped local governments from collective bargaining with their employees. Under a Virginia law that took effect May 1, 2021, Alexandria City Council had been the first locality to pass a collective bargaining ordinance, allowing negotiations with a bargaining representative on behalf of employees.

For the Alexandria Fire Department agreement, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2141 was the union representative in the bargaining process. The agreement finalized Tuesday night is planned to run from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026.

"We are proud of the collaborative work that went into making this agreement possible," said Mayor Justin Wilson in a statement. "City staff, alongside IAFF leadership, were committed to finding common ground in the interest of public safety, as well as elevating the collective voice of the department."

"This is the first step in creating a space for the members of the City of Alexandria’s Fire Department, to have their voices heard," added IAFF Local 2141 President Josh Turner in a statement. "We believe that this agreement sets the framework to not just make the Alexandria Fire Department a more competitive employer, but that it also ensures we are providing the high quality services the members of the Alexandria community deserve."

The agreement provides market-based pay increases, according to a city and union statement. There will be a 5 percent pay increase for firefighter I, firefighter II, firefighter III, firefighter IV, and fire lieutenant positions as well as a 10 percent increase for fire lieutenant, EMS lieutenant, fire captain, and EMS captain positions. In addition, the agreement provides a 2 percent annual pay raise during the agreement, offers merit increases for eligible employees, and sets percentage amounts between pay scale steps.

For the fire and police employee collective bargaining agreements, the city statement said salaries of bargaining unit employees will be at or above market level. Positions covered in the fire bargaining unit are firefighter I, firefighter II, firefighter III, firefighter IV, medic II, medic III, medic IV, deputy fire marshal I, deputy fire marshal II, deputy fire marshal III, fire lieutenant, EMS lieutenant, fire captain and EMS captain.

The agreement provides a path to reduced shifts from 56 to 50 hours per week by July 30, 2025. That effort will be supported by $12.52 million through fiscal year 2026 to add 52 positions. Another $1 million will go toward traffic signal installation at five fire stations.

The agreement also sets guidelines in areas like overtime, which has been a concern amid staffing shortages.

Overall, the cost of the collective bargaining agreement is $27.5 million over the three-year agreement term. This represents the additional costs of salaries, benefits and other costs negotiated in the collective bargaining process.

The agreement was reached on Jan. 6, marking the first agreement since 1970 between a Virginia locality and union representing firefighters or medics. The agreement for police department employees with Southern States Police Benevolent Association was finalized in November. Appropriation of the funds for the collective bargaining agreements is planned through the city's annual budgets.

"To be able to bring this agreement before Council on the heels of our first agreement with our police is a proud moment for the community," said City Manager Jim Parajon. "After months of negotiations, it is an agreement that recognizes the importance of our firefighters, paramedics, and fire marshals in their service to our community."