Carol Stream firefighters, district reach contract agreement

Carol Stream firefighter-paramedics will receive 2.5 percent annual salary increases under a tentative three-year contract agreement union members have ratified.

The proposed pact also would give lieutenants 2.75 percent pay raises in each year of the deal, retroactive to June 1.

Carol Stream Fire Protection District trustees are expected to approve the proposed contract on Aug. 8.

Earlier this month, 41 of the union's 46 members voted in favor of ratifying the agreement, said Lt. Rick Bonk, president of the Carol Stream Firefighters Association Local 3192.

Negotiations began in March and a federal mediator later facilitated a bargaining session in early July that "got the bulk of economic issues settled," Bonk said.

Bonk called the proposed contract a "fair agreement" that also would increase an education allowance - by $500 to $1,500 - for training seminars and classes.

"I thought they went very well," newly appointed Fire Chief Bob Hoff said of the talks. "The board and the union were very reasonable. It was a very good environment."

The former deputy chief, Hoff was promoted in June, about four months after Rick Kolomay announced he was retiring from the district's top post because of a shoulder injury.

Hoff, a former Chicago Fire Department commissioner, officially was sworn as chief earlier this month.

The board also signed a three-year contract with Hoff that awards a $135,000 base salary. Each year of the agreement, starting next June, trustees will review his pay and "consider adjustments."