Des Plaines firefighters get pay raises in new 4-year contract

Des Plaines' firefighter-paramedics will receive modest pay raises under a newly approved, four-year labor agreement.

The deal was approved by the city council Monday night. It's effective Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2024.

It applies to 85 employees, including those serving as engineer, lieutenant and fire inspector.

The contract calls for 1.75% salary increases in 2021, 2% increases in 2022, 2.25% increases in 2023 and 2.5% increases in 2024, documents indicate.

The starting salary for a rookie firefighter-paramedic in the first year of the deal will be $74,759, up 1.75% from $73,473, City Manager Michael Bartholomew said.

Additionally, the average firefighter salary the first year of the deal will be $100,902, up from $99,173, Bartholomew said.

As part of the agreement, the employee contribution to health insurance will increase in 2024 to 10%, up from 7%.

The union approved the pact last week.

The contract replaces a four-year deal that expires Dec. 31.

Bartholomew described the negotiations as "professional and cooperative."