Newport Firefighters Ratify New Union Contract

NEWPORT, RI—Members of the Newport firefighter’s union have ratified a new three-year contract through 2018 that the Newport City Council approved last week.

The contract will give raises in each year beginning with a 2.25 percent raise retroactive to July 1 of this year and 2 percent in the second and third years respectively.

Firefighters agreed to significant changes to their benefits to compensate for the $398,329 increase caused by the raises, including a cap on vacation leave accrual for new hires and a cap on sick leave payouts. Those two changes alone are expected to save $192,000 per year.

Firefighters also agreed to the establishment of health savings accounts, higher deductible plans, retirees will make a 5 percent premium contribution and the drug cap is increased to $1,000.

In the end, according to a fiscal impact statement prepared by the city, the total cost savings from the contract is $457,424.

“It’s good deal for both sides I think,” said Marcus Cochran, secretary-treasurer of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1080, the Newport firefighters union. “We made some concessions and the city met us on some other things.”

Before voting to approve the contract at last week’s City Council meeting, council members praised both sides of the negotiation table for producing what has they described as a fair and reasonable contract.

Councilor Naomi Neville said the the contract, along with a new contract for the Newport Municipal Employees Association, marked a “milestone” to reach the approval stage. It also sets a precedent for future contract negotiations.

Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano said that “certainly there were areas we didn’t agree on, but we knew there were more areas we could.

“It took a lot of time and energy on the part of the staff, the solicitor and the union negotiators and I’m just very proud they were able to do it,” Napolitano said.

The mayor noted that firefighters are escorting Santa around Newport this December—a reflection of what a partnership between firefighters and the city can produce.

“It’s a sight to see,” Napolitano said.

The new contract expires in 2018.

According to the contract, a starting firefighter will earn $38,488.91 annually. That increases over four steps to $63,556.44.

From lieutenant to captains, the salary ranges from $68,711.80 to $76,688.73. A deputy chief earns $84,017.75, a senior deputy chief earns $85,698 and the highest paid union member is the fire marshal at $92,419.24.

The Fire Chief is appointed by the City Council and not a member of the union.

Along with the raises, union members will get a slight bump in their clothing allowance from the current $1,250 to $1,600 by 2018.

The entire contract can be viewed HERE.