Village, Firefighters Ink Bargaining Agreement

Menomonee Falls firefighters made a budget-friendly concession with village leaders in a contract the groups two ratified. It was a concession that neither party could discuss at the bargaining table.

The employees in the firefighters union, IAFF Local 3879, agreed to pay their share of the Wisconsin Retirement System. As a result of Act 10, firefighters' collective bargaining rights were unchanged. However, Act 32 prevented the village and union from discussing health insurance plan designs at the bargaining table. 

Regardless, the firefighters still agreed to pay and benefits highly similar to workers not represented by unions at Village Hall. The Village Board gave its approval Monday after a briefing in a conference room. 

“I commend the union for aligning themselves with the rest of the village staff," Village President Randy Newman said. 

In January 2014, the Menomonee Falls Fire Department will switch to a 24-hour work schedule.

"We want to take the skill of the full-timers to move them through a 24-hour shift so they can augment the skill level at night," said Village President Mark Fitzgerald. 
   
Firefighter wages will increase by 1 percent in 2013, and wages will rise 0.5 percent annually through 2015. The department will also appoint a Fire Lieutenant in 2015 to help staff the expanding department.