Geneva firefighters under new contract

Geneva firefighters are working under a new contract approved by the city council Monday night.

The agreement, which covers the city's 18 full-time firefighters, includes pay raises that are retroactive to May 1. The previous contract expired April 30.

There were few changes between the last contract and this one, according to Fire Chief Steve Olson and City Administrator Mary McKittrick.

The four-year contract calls for increases in the base pay rate of 3.5 percent in 2008, 4 percent in 2009, and 3.75 percent in 2010 and 2011.

A firefighter in the first level of the city's seven-step compensation plan would earn $46,803 a year in the first year and $52,394 in the fourth, if he or she doesn't receive any merit promotions to a higher pay level. Similarly, a lieutenant would receive $58,001 in the first year and $64,930 in the fourth.

A firefighter in the seventh step would make $69,676 the first year and $78,000 the fourth. A lieutenant in the seventh step would make $83,932 the first year and $93,959 in the fourth.

Certified paramedics are to receive an annual $3,000 stipend.

Overall, 72 people work for the fire department, many of them as paid-on-call firefighters. Paid-on-call workers are not covered under the union contract.