The City of Swift Current and its locally employed firefighters have struck a red-hot deal.

The old collective agreement between the City and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1318 expired on Dec. 31, 2023.

The City of Swift Current and the IAFF Local 1318 entered into a tentative agreement, which was implemented on March 28. Membership agreed to the new arrangement on March 29.

Yesterday, Swift Current city council approved the tentative agreement and authorized the signing of a collective agreement incorporating revisions outlined in the memorandum of agreement, dated April 8, 2024.

Vicky Sutherland, manager of human resources for the City of Swift Current, was adamant that the City and Local 1318 relationship remained amicable and respectful throughout the bargaining process.

"As such, all negotiations were completed without the use of external representatives for either side," said Sutherland.

The final agreement is for a term of two years, starting on Jan. 1, 2024, and ending on Dec. 28, 2025.

"Changes include general wording to update the language in the agreement, monetary items, as well as two letters of understanding for a trial 24-hour shift and lateral move incentive," said Sutherland. "Both letters of understanding will result in two working committees to determine the terms and conditions of both items."

The monetary items stipulated are as follows.

The monthly cell phone fee will be increased from $25 to $30 a month for the life of the agreement.

A decrease in qualification requirement from 15 years of service to 10 years of service to become a lieutenant.

Service pay increase from $10 per month to $15, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

A decrease in the accumulation of hours in lieu of overtime worked to a maximum of 48 hours a week from 72 hours a week.

A new signing bonus of $1,200 for all IAFF members. This will not apply to non-IAFF, out of scope members.

An annual wage increase of 3.25 per cent from Jan. 1, 2024, and again on Dec. 30, 2024. This will be applied to non-IAFF, out of scope members as well.

 

City council voted in favour of the new agreement, moving it from tentative to a collective agreement.