Firefighters, Des Plaines agree to new contract

Des Plaines firefighters won pay raises and bonuses for getting certifications and giving at least one year's notice of retirement.

After more than a year of talks, the firefighters union and the city signed a new agreement this week. It covers firefighters, lieutenants and captains retroactive from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009.

Firefighters, lieutenants and captains will get 3.75 percent pay increases in each year of the new Des Plaines Professional Firefighters Union, International Association of Firefighters Local 4211 pact.

They gave up a portion of their overtime pay. Previously, firefighters collected nearly twice their normal pay rate for overtime work. Now, they will get time-and-a-half.

This was a compromise in exchange for a bigger raises, union president Lt. Chris Wozny said.

Firefighters and officers who earn additional training certificates will get between $500 and $2,500 in the new agreement.

Another change is an incentive to notify the city early of retirement plans. Employees who tell the city one year before their retirement would get a $2,500 bonus.

In the new contract, a firefighter will earn between $48,957 and $71,384. A paramedic will earn between $52,278 and $76,222. This year, a lieutenant would earn between $80,033 and $86,130, and a captain would get $90,438.

Starting Jan. 1, a firefighter would earn from $50,793 to $74,061, and a paramedic would get between $54,238 and $79,080. A lieutenant would get between $83,034 and $89,360, and a captain would collect $93,829.

As of Jan. 1, 2009, a firefighter would get between $52,698 and $76,838, and a paramedic would earn between $56,272 and $82,046. A lieutenant would earn between $86,148 and $92,711, and a captain would make $97,348 in the final year of the contract.

The new agreement also adds protection relating to sexual orientation.