Pension comments a sore point with Arlington Heights firefighters

Arlington Heights firefighters agreed "overwhelmingly" to give up half the salary increases they are due in the coming fiscal year despite hard feelings over village officials' portrayal of fire and police pensions, according to a union official.

Lt. William Kidd, president of Local 3105, said Monday night his membership gave back half the raise due under the current contract and saved the village $165,000 in exchange for a promise no members would be laid off during the period ending April 30, 2011.

The village is facing difficult economic times and at one point had an $8 million deficit for the fiscal year that starts May 1. Steps to fill the hole have included layoffs, cutting programs like the Teen Center, and raising taxes and fees.

After village board members expressed appreciation for the firefighters' vote, Kidd thanked them but said the village's leadership in blaming financial woes on police and fire pensions put a decade of good negotiating relationships at risk.

"We kind of felt thrown under the bus. It wasn't all the pensions' fault. You made it look like that."

Public safety unions realize change must be made in the funding of pensions, he said, and that is being worked on.

The village and the firefighters also agreed that three vacant positions in the department will not be in the budget for the upcoming year. However, any additional vacancies would remain in the budget. Kidd said it is not certain they would be filled, depending on economic conditions. Staffing levels were also agreed to, said Village Manager William Dixon. Kidd expressed concern about how many calls the department gets and the need to keep residents safe. He said any more staffing cuts would require taking some equipment out of service.

The local's three-year contract with the village, which currently covers 100 people, expires April 30, 2011. The firefighters were due a 3.75 percent increase that will be delayed for six months, effectively cutting it in half. Kidd would not reveal the exact union vote.

The reduction in the number of firefighters might affect a grant the village received three years ago from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The village is scheduled to receive $111,000 from the federal grant it used to hire nine firefighters. Since three of those positions are no longer filled, it is possible all of that money will not arrive and a portion of the grant from previous years will have to be returned.

However, Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen said it is hoped the U.S. Government will forego demanding the money back because departments across the country are in financial difficulties.

Negotiations with the association representing police officers ended without any concessions, said Robin Ward, assistant village attorney. Police and firefighters are the only unionized village employees.