The union representing Denver firefighters has reached a tentative agreement with Mayor John Hickenlooper’s administration on cuts to pay and benefits expected to save the city $1.5 million.
The package, which must still be ratified by union members, would reduce the negotiated contract by 2 percent. The city also agreed to study whether it could save money by having the fire department handle more dispatching duties. The membership is expected to vote on the proposal next week.
“It’s a win-win deal for everyone,” said Eric Tade, the governmental affairs director for the union. “Services don’t get cut for citizens. Firefighters get to keep their jobs, and the administration doesn’t have to make layoffs.”
Hickenlooper asked the three unions representing safety workers — police, fire and sheriff employees — to take a 2 percent cut to their negotiated contracts this year. The mayor’s request to the unions was part of a plan to close a projected $56 million budget deficit that has the potential to grow even larger.
The union representing sheriff’s deputies refused to accept the cuts, and the mayor last week fired 11 deputies to achieve the targeted savings.
If firefighters ratify the package of cuts, they will get to keep their jobs, Tade said. He said the package suspends the city’s contribution to a retirement health care plan equal to 1 percent of a firefighter’s salary.
The union also agreed to suspend the city’s pay for uniform maintenance and agreed to suspend a holiday firefighters receive on their birthdays. The holiday on a birthday translates into extra pay for those involved in fire suppression and a day off for those involved in support services.
The union also agreed to extend the cuts to next year if the economic downturn continues. If the city’s revenues improve, the city will lift the cost-saving measures.
Tade said the administration also agreed to study whether the fire department could handle dispatching duties currently handled by Denver Health Medical Center.
Currently, the city has a bifurcated system for handling such dispatching, with Denver Health taking medical calls and dispatching paramedics. Denver Health also sends medical calls to fire department dispatchers, Tade said, who then send firefighters, who are emergency medical technicians and first responders.
Tade said the union calculates that Denver Health has 23 dispatchers. The fire department has about 20 dispatchers, he said and believes it can assume Denver’s Health’s workload by adding 10 employees.
“If you can do dispatching quicker, better and cheaper, why wouldn’t you?” he asked.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
