New labor deal gives Arlington Heights firefighters 3% raises

A three-year labor agreement approved Tuesday will award Arlington Heights firefighters raises of 3% this year, 3.5% in 2027, and 3.25% in 2028.

The mayor and village trustees voted unanimously to approve the new collective bargaining agreement with Arlington Heights Firefighters Association Local 3105 on what was a busy night for the fire department at Tuesday night’s village board meeting.

The agenda also included a new ambulance purchase and swearing-in ceremony for recently-promoted Battalion Chief Marc Piscitiello and Lieutenant Matthew Murphy.

Retroactive to Jan. 1, annual base salaries range from $81,337 for a new firefighter on the first step of the salary schedule to $145,626 for a fire lieutenant on the seventh step, according to the contract.

The union and management agreed to increase longevity amounts for years of service — by about $250 from last contract — based on comparable and independent data, they said.

Firefighters with 10 to 14 years of service will get longevity pay of $1,250, those with 15 to 19 years will get $1,350, and those with 20 years or more will get $1,850.

The 85-page agreement also contains a side letter providing a $1,200 annual stipend for engineers and lieutenants licensed as paramedics to work on advanced life-saving non-transport vehicles.

Another side letter guarantees a $750 annual stipend for training and recertification requirements.

Mirroring the police contract approved in October, firefighters also agreed to a rate increase in the monthly employee health insurance premium contribution from 14% to 16%, starting in 2027.

Union membership — about 100 sworn firefighters below the rank of division/battalion chief — previously ratified the deal. It runs through 2028.

“Our negotiations process is an interest-based negotiations process … (which) has stood up the test of time through different leadership changes,” said Local 3105 President Drew Hansen. “What that represents to the citizen in Arlington Heights is a large cost savings and a huge positive working relationship between labor and management. It really is the foundation to how we operate.”

Village board members also authorized the $487,867 purchase of a new Braun ambulance, due for delivery in late 2028 or early 2029.

Two new ambulances were placed into service a year ago, under the fire department’s vehicle replacement plan. Four new ambulances — delayed by supply chain issues — are expected to be delivered in April.

Another ambulance hit the streets this month — as part of the department’s plan to operate five front line units and two reserves — due to increased call volumes.