Schaumburg extends contract with fire commanders

Schaumburg and the village fire department's command staff have a new four-year contract.

As approved by village trustees Tuesday, the department's five fire captains and one battalion chief will receive a 2 percent raise retroactive to May 1, another 2 percent pay hike in 2015, and 2.5 percent in both 2016 and 2017.

The new deal came about during renegotiations on the third and final year of the previous three-year contract, which was set to expire in 2015. A clause allowing a renegotiation of the third year was included in the prior deal as a result of lingering economic uncertainties when the contract took effect on May 1, 2012, said Assistant Village Manager Paula Hewson.

But with no major issues other than wages being brought forward by either side, the talks led to an agreement that runs all the way through 2017. Neither side was anticipating a long-term deal.

"Yes, it was a little bit of a surprise," said Capt. Mark Nelson of the Schaumburg Fire Command Association. "We're happy that we have a good working relationship with the village and the administration. We felt very comfortable with the current working conditions."

A new contract is also pending with the union of the village's rank-and-file firefighter-paramedics, Hewson said. That contract is aimed to take effect retroactive to May 1, 2014.