Michigan Association of Fire Fighters

CONTRACT

“They received a flat rate wage increase to bring them up to area professionals for the life of the agreement,” said MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jim Steffes. “We increased their longevity pay – a Captain was getting $2,175 and is now going to get in this contract $3,250 annually. A Fire Marshall was getting $2,850 and will now receive $4,250. The City will permanently increase the base wage by $3,000 for completion of bachelor’s degree and $2,500 for an associate degree. The City is trying to have more highly educated staff. If you get a degree in the next two years, you would get that increase to your wage. If you were promoted into the bargaining unit from the POC ranks, we reduced the probationary period from 18 months to 12 months.”

“The main thing was the pay raise. We weren’t looking for anything extraordinary. We were just looking for parity with similar rank with the (Walled Lake) Police Department,” said Karl Brown, MAFF Local Union Chief Steward. “There hadn’t been a raise in well over 10 years. To me that was the big highlight. The City was in a really bad financial (situation) around 2010 and they’re not out of it completely, but they’re well on their way hopefully. To be able to retain employees, they understand they have to offer competitive wage and benefits packages. I think what impressed me the most about MAFF was the history. It was a long-time relationship with the City through the Union. Jim (Steffes) has a good knowledge of the contracts.”

Contract Duration: 4-year agreement ratified Sept. 17, 2019 and effective July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2023.

Wage Increases:
Fire Captain flat rate annual increase from $65,366 to $71,462 effective July 1, 2019 for the life of the agreement.
Fire Marshal flat rate annual increase from $66,243 to $72,177 effective July 1, 2019 for the life of the agreement.

  • Wage increases were retroactive to immediately following the prior contract expiration, effective July 1, 2019.

Fringe Benefits:

  • Increase in annual longevity pay for Captains from $2,175 to $3,250 and for Fire Marshals from $2,850 to $4,250.
  • Effective July 1, 2019, there is a permanent increase of the base wage by $3,000 for completion of a bachelor’s degree and $2,500 for completion of an associate degree. The increase becomes effective upon completion of the degree.
  • Probationary period reduced from 18 months to 12 months for Paid on Call Employees promoted into the Full-Time bargaining unit.

Bargaining Team: MAFF Labor Relations Specialist Jim Steffes and Local Union Chief Steward Karl Brown.