Palatine, firefighters agree to new, 3-year contract

Palatine and its firefighters have a new three-year contract that increases employee wages by less than 3 percent each year.

Under the deal, wages for firefighters and paramedics will increase 1.94 percent this year and 2.49 percent in 2016.

Wages for lieutenants and captains will increase 2.74 percent this year and 2.5 percent in 2016. Wages for all positions will increase by 2.5 percent in 2017.

Chad Kurka, the president of IAFF Local 4588, said he thinks the contract is fair.

"We held the line with the village so they could cut some of their costs," Kurka said.

Councilman Tim Millar said he also believes the contract is good, but he remains concerned with the village's mounting pension costs.

"I know it's not within our purview to change the state pension system," Millar said.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen said it is up to lawmakers in Springfield to get the message that pension reform is needed.

"It is out of control; it is unsustainable. We know that; I think the employees know that," Ottesen said. "I can't preach it any more than we already do. It's a major cost that's out there."

Kurka agrees that pensions are everybody's concern.

"We did what we could to control the costs in the contract," Kurka said. "Hopefully that'll translate into some pension savings."

There are 91 sworn employees of the Palatine Fire Department, 84 of whom are members of the union.