City Approves a Lean Firefighter's Contract

City Council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement Thursday with the Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association, Local No. 27.

The three-year contract applies to about 60 Ocean City firefighters and closely reflects a recent contract with the Ocean City Police Department union.

The agreement includes the following provisions:

• Contract runs Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2014.
• Zero percent wage increases in 2012, 1.5 percent increases in 2013 and 2 percent increases in 2014 (a 1.2 percent average).
• Employees will make contributions to health benefits that are consistent with state law.
• Terminal leave payments will be capped at $7,500 for all new hires.
• New firefighters will go through three additional salary steps (from seven to 10) before hitting the top.
• Health benefit coverage for retirees will go to firefighters with 25 years experience, including 20 years in Ocean City.
• Longevity benefits will start at 10 years, instead of seven.
• An $832 CPR training stipend has been eliminated.
• A minimum overtime payment has been reduced from four to two hours.

Business Administrator Mike Dattilo said that the contract meets Mayor Jay Gillian's expectations for "fair contracts" — fair to city employees and fair to taxpayers.

City Council members praised and thanked the local FMBA.