AURORA — The second and final day of arbitration between the city and the firefighters union ended Tuesday without an agreement, with wages and benefits the key points of contention.
Both sides now will make closing statements in a written brief, and the arbitrator is expected to make a final decision in a few weeks.
Firefighters are seeking a pay raise of between 4 and 5 percent but the city is offering up to 3 percent, depending on available revenue.
In 2007 and 2008, firefighters received a 3.25 percent raise.
“The city is looking at raises tied to revenue, essentially how much sales tax we collect,” said human resources director Kin Shuman.
With a down economy, the city does not expect to collect as much money as it has in previous years.
Fire union president Randy Rester did not return calls for comment. But on the union website after negotiations broke down last month, Rester wrote he was disappointed that talks had stalled.
“I am absolutely disgusted with the city and ashamed to say I work for this place,” Rester wrote. “Is this how the city shows how much they love and respect us.”
An average salary for a firefighter is $57,179, and the maximum is $65,183.
Aside from salary, the union is seeking the day after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday as well as increases in health insurance for retirees.
They have agreed, according to the union, to the city’s contributing 5 percent more for health insurance for families and 4.5 percent more for dental insurance.
Aurora now pays up to $932.70 in medical insurance for families each month and $40.07 for dental.
The current contract runs through December, and a renewal of two years would be likely, depending on the arbitrator’s ruling.
The police union also is seeking a new contract. Arbitration between police and the city is scheduled for later this month.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporting error, it incorrectly reported how much the city of Aurora is proposing to increase the pay of firefighters. The increase is up to 3 percent, depending on available revenue.
