HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-07-064 - Fire Arbitration Awardi
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Report To: Mayor C. Zehr and Members of Council
Date of Meeting: December 14, 2007
Submitted By: Lesley Bansen
Prepared By: Lesley Bansen
Ward(s) Involved: N/A
Date of Report: December 12, 2007
Report No.: CAO-07-064
Subject: Fire Arbitration Award
RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council approve an interim wage adjustment in advance of a Fire Interest
Arbitration Award for 2005 in the amount of 4.25% effective January 1, 2005 for all
employees who were members of the Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters Association
as of that date.
BACKGROUND
On March 5, 2007, an arbitration hearing was held in Kitchener to settle the terms and
conditions of a replacement collective agreement with Kitchener Professional Fire
Fighters Association. The previous contract expired December 31, 2004. To date no
award has been issued and the likelihood of an award in the near future is not good.
REPORT:
According to the historical bargaining relationship between the parties, the traditional
comparators for the Kitchener Firefighters are the Cambridge, Guelph and Waterloo
Firefighters. In terms of salary, there has historically been a strong correlation between the first
class rate received by a Waterloo Regional Police constable and the first class firefighter rate of
the Kitchener Firefighters. In view of the strong relationship between the two first class rates,
the City proposed a first class firefighter rate in 2005 of $69,125 (4.25%) in their submissions to
the Arbitrator on March 5, 2007.
Further the absence of any increase in wages for three years is having a negative impact on
morale.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The costs associated with this interim award will be funded from existing operating budget
allocations and accruals.
Lesley Bansen
Manager of Human Resources