Michigan Association of Fire Fighters

CONTRACT EXTENSION

“Washington Township Fire Department has issues with retention of part-time fire fighters,” said MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jim Steffes regarding the contract extension. “The cost of training a part-time fire fighter only to have them hired full-time somewhere else is creating a problem. The Township is re-evaluating their budget to determine if a full-time department is something they can afford or whether should they explore other options.”

Contract Extension: 1-year Extension of original agreement (7-1-16 to 12-31-18). Contract now effective until 12-31-19.

Wage Increases:
2.5% increase effective April 1, 2017.
2.5% increase effective April 1, 2018.
3% (contract extension) increase effective April 1, 2019.
• .50 cents an hour increase effective on ratification of original contract.
• $700 of retroactive pay for each employee, based on making the contract retroactive to July 1, 2016, since the previous contract expired April 28, 2016.

Change in Classification: Formerly POC fire fighters and EMT’s are now classified as part-time with regularly scheduled shifts up to 24 hours. The unit recently added six new members for a total of 13 who are now classified part-time.

Fringe Benefits: Part-timers receive preference for full-time positions by being given additional points toward their written and oral testing, from one to ten points based on years of service. Added step in grievance procedure to go to mediation before arbitration. Increase of $50 in duty uniform expenses, now $350 annually.

Bargaining Team: MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jim Steffes and Washington Township Part-time Fire Fighters Local Union President Eric Guty.