By Andrew de Souza

Arbitrators side with PA Firefighter union

Apr 30, 2012 | 6:36 AM

Arbitrators have ruled on a wage dispute between the City of Prince Albert and the Prince Albert Fire Department in favour of the department.

The decision means the city will pay firefighters a wage increase of 15.5 per cent retroactive in increments dating back to Jan. 1, 2010.

In addition firefighters are eligible for a further increase based on any increases Prince Albert Police Service constables receive in their upcoming contract negotiations.

While bound to pay by the arbitration, the city says there will have to be a calculation time, since there the retroactive pay occurs at different times and since firefighters may changed positions, retired or other such circumstances.

 Huge burden for city coffers

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In a report from the city’s corporate services department to city council there was warning about the impact of such a drastic, sudden increase.

“Regardless of the union involved the City cannot continue to absorb wage increases of this magnitude and must look at options to either a) increase revenues or b) decrease costs,” wrote director of corporate services Chris Cvik.

The contract disputes began when the firefighter union’s contract expired in Dec. 2009. The union wanted a one-year 8 per cent increase, a $0.30 per hour increase and to have their wages more closely tied to the police department.

The city counter-offered with a 10.5 per cent increase over 3 years. Contract negotiations came to a stand still and on Nov. 28, 2010, the union informed the city they wanted to take the matter to arbitration.

Arbitration took place Aug. – Sept. of 2011 and the decision was received at the end of March.
During the hearings, the fire department stated their profession deserved higher pay because of the inherent short- and long-term risks associated with the profession.

The city countered it was unable to afford large increases and asked the arbitrators to be reasonable in their expectation of what the city could pay.

The city cannot appeal the decision.

The city was unable to provide an estimate for how much the increase would end up costing the city.

adesouza@panow.com