Centre Wellington Township has reached a new working agreement with its firefighters from the stations here and in Fergus.
The two-year agreement calls for a 2 per cent pay increase in 2012 and no increase in 2013. Firefighters will also receive an honorarium of $1,050 per year, paid on a semi-annual basis.
The agreement was reached in negotiations between the township, senior members of the Elora and Fergus fire stations, fire chief Brad Patton, human resources manager Rick Hulley, chief administrative officer Michael Wood and legal counsel representing all parties.
It sets out the pay scales that are determined by rank and experience:
– recruits are paid at minimum wage for their training once they have successfully passed all required exams and tests, after which the first year firefighter rate applies;
– $17.74 per hour for a first year firefighter rate;
– $21.29 for second year;
– $24.84 for third year;
– $30.15 per hour for a first class firefighter;
– $31.75 for an acting captain;
– $33.41 for a captain;
– $36.67 for an instructor;
– $39 per hour for a district chief; and
– $43.14 per hour for a deputy-chief.
The agreement stated preparation time is calculated for instructor pay.
The firefighters will receive rest time pay of up to four hours, or half a shift, for time spent performing duties as assigned, with a longer time approved by the fire chief or his designate.
Compensation will be provided to the firefighters on the basis of the maximum allowed by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the township must notify the firefighters of any change in that agreement.
If a firefighter is in receipt of WSIB benefits from an injury sustained while performing firefighter duties, the township will pay the cost of benefit premiums that are normally provided by the firefighters’ employer if required.
There will be a standby crew for each station consisting of a minimum of an officer, driver and firefighters.
The entire standby crew will be responsible for weekly inspections of apparatus and equipment and be paid at the rate specified for hourly pay. The standby week runs from 6am on Friday to 6am of the following Friday.
The township will also provide a life insurance benefit amount of $75,000 payable to a beneficiary or to an estate. The insurance package also includes such things as dismemberment, disfigurement, and cosmetic surgery for injuries such as burns, as well as insurance benefits for injuries and total disability.
Wood said in an interview the $75,000 life insurance benefit covers each firefighter 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At the same time, the Volunteer Firemen Insurance Service benefit amount was reduced from $150,000 to $100,000.
As well as the working agreement, the parties agreed to a system of mediation in the event of a dispute. That means there are three steps to the dispute process, starting with a meeting with a superior. If those three steps fail, mediation is required.
The agreement includes such things as costs for clothing and uniforms to attend firefighter events. The agreement will last until 2014. Wood noted normally the agreement would span four years, but this one is half that.
