AURORA — The firefighters’ union has approved the city’s contract offer, which calls for a 2 percent pay raise next year and 3 percent in 2010, officials said Friday.
Union president Randy Rester did not say what percentage of union members voted in favor of the proposal. But after going to arbitration, he said he was happy an agreement finally was reached. “I didn’t like the way we got here but the end result is mutually beneficial for both sides,” Rester said, adding he hopes for smoother negotiations during the next round of contract talks.
The contract now goes to the City Council for final approval, but Rester said the council indicated it would adopt the contract if the union passed it.
The two-year contract also calls for the city to pay a 5 percent increase for family health-care insurancein 2009 and 2010 and a 4.5 increase in dental insurance for both years as well.
The city had initially offered raises of up to 3 percent, depending on how much sales tax it expected to collect in those years, according to human resources director Kin Shuman. Firefighters initially were seeking 4 to 5 percent raises for each year.
The police union also is negotiating a contract with the city. Both sides went to arbitration recently but no agreement has been reached.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
