Buffalo Grove extends firefighter contract, approves pay hikes

Buffalo Grove trustees Monday approved a new salary agreement with the village's firefighters' union, despite concerns raised by a member of the public over raising pay during a pandemic-induced financial crisis.

The agreement with the Buffalo Grove Professional Firefighter/Paramedic Association runs from May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2021 and raises the salaries of firefighters/paramedics 2.5% and fire lieutenants 2%.

The budget impact, Human Resources Director Arthur Malinowski said, is $111,000.

The salary agreement is separate from the main collective bargaining agreement, which was scheduled to end April 30. But trustees extended that agreement through Oct. 31, in recognition, officials said, of employees' response to the pandemic.

During the virtual meeting, resident Brian Costin called in and told trustees that the village should be more focused on funding pensions.

"Where is the shared sacrifice?" he added. "I understand we want to be there for front-line workers during a pandemic. But let's be for them by making sound decisions for the long-term financial health of this village. Let's take this money and fund their pensions more instead."

He also expressed concern starting salaries for firefighter/paramedics would move from $64,000 under the old agreement to $71,000 after one year under the new agreement.

Trustee Eric Smith said he appreciates Costin's sentiment and agrees that the government needs to share in the sacrifice.

"But I'm not willing to sacrifice our first responders at this time," he said.

Trustee Joanne Johnson agreed, saying, "These are people that are doing God's work right now. Every time they answer a call, they are putting their lives on the line for us."

Johnson said the village is funding pensions at 78%, which is considered acceptable.

"You're never going to have your entire fire department retire at once," she added.

Johnson, who is on the legislative committee of the Northwest Municipal Conference, said the conference is working on a letter to the legislature asking for the state to adjust its expectations for pension funding.