Politics & Government
Vallejo Fire Chief 'Released;' Firefighters' Pay Raise Considered
An interim fire chief is expected to be appointed Wednesday. Meanwhile, City Council will vote on a 5-percent raise for firefighters.
VALLEJO, CA — Vallejo fire Chief Jack McArthur has been released from employment and an interim chief is expected to be named Wednesday, City Manager Greg Nyhoff said Tuesday. McArthur was with the Vallejo Fire Department for just over four years and he will receive three months of severance pay, Nyhoff said.
"The city is grateful for the service he has provided to the community and Fire Department. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank him and wish him the best," Nyhoff said in a statement.
The city's fire chief is an at-will position and incumbents can be released at any time. The interim chief will serve for the length of the recruitment process, and the city does not comment on personnel matters, Nyhoff said.
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Also related to Vallejo firefighters, the City Council was set Tuesday evening to consider authorizing Nyhoff to finalize and execute a memorandum of understanding with the city firefighters' union.
The proposed one-year MOU with the International Association of Firefighters Local 1186 contains a 5-percent raise upon adoption.
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The tentative agreement reached on June 7 also contains a grievance settlement providing a 7.5-percent pay increase for captain and engineer paramedics. Employees receiving the 7.5-percent paramedic pay are not eligible for the 5-percent pay raise.
The wage increase for firefighters will increase the 2018-2019 fiscal year general fund by $1,069,000, and the paramedics' pay settlement will cost $242,000 in fiscal year 2018-2019, according to the city manager.
The previous MOU between the city and the firefighters' union expired on June 30, 2012, and bargaining unit employees have not received a cost of living increase since 2007-2008, Nyhoff said.
The lack of an MOU negatively impacted recruitment and led to grievances and unfair practice charges. The approval of the MOU is expected to achieve greater stability for the Vallejo Fire Department and resolve
severe disputes, Nyhoff said.
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By Bay City News Service
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