Schaumburg approves three-year firefighters contract

Schaumburg trustees have approved a new three-year contract with their union firefighters and fire lieutenants that will take effect this spring.

Fire department employees with both those jobs titles will receive salary increases of 2.5 percent on May 1, 2017, and then 2 percent on May 1 of both 2018 and 2019.

The new contract also makes changes how retirees with more than 20 years of service are compensated for their eligible share of unused sick time. Rather than receiving a cash payment as in the past, future retirees will see that amount credited toward their health insurance expenses.

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are also being eliminated as half-day holidays for those who normally work eight-hour shifts.