New contract raises pay for firefighters, less to new hires

Monday, May 23, 2011
By TERRENCE T. McDONALD
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City firefighters will receive a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase annually from 2013 through 2015, while new firefighters will have their salary increases and benefits curtailed, thanks to an agreement forged last week between the city and the local firefighters union.

The city, which was awarded an $8.1 million federal grant to pay for hiring new firefighters over the next three years, wanted to amend its contract with the Uniformed Fire Fighters Association of Jersey City Local 1066 before it hired the additional personnel, city officials said.

"Amending the contract now . will lower the cost of running the department," said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill.

The old contract was set to expire next year. The amended version will expire in 2015.

The amendments include what the city called significant savings because of reduced vacation time and longevity pay to all firefighters hired after the May 9 agreement.

New firefighters will also have an increased step schedule, giving them 10 years, instead of the usual seven, to hit their maximum salary.

Current firefighters, meanwhile, will receive a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase annually from 2013 through 2015.

All firefighters will now pay higher co-pays for prescription drugs, from $20 currently to $22 starting in 2012 and $24 starting in 2014.

Local 1066 President Joseph W. Krajnik did not return a request for comment.