River Forest firefighter/paramedics and lieutenants will receive 3.25% annual salary increases under three-year contracts approved by the village board April 29.
Officials and the union representing firefighter/paramedics and lieutenants agreed on the new contracts before the current contracts expired on April 30. The contracts with the International Association of Firefighters Local 2391 were approved without discussion as part of the consent agenda. Separate contracts represent 15 firefighter/paramedics and four lieutenants. The union members voted to ratify the contract April 23.
The agreement keeps all three unions representing village employees under contract. Officials approved a three-year contract with the union representing public works employees in December and a three-year contract with the union representing police officers in April 2023.
“It’s wonderful to have all our unions under contract,” village President Cathy Adduci said. “It’s good to have a good relationship with all our unions and departments.”
In a memo to Matt Walsh, village administrator, Trish Ivansek, human resources manager, said initial negotiations began in February. She said that a survey of 15 nearby municipalities revealed that the starting pay for a new River Forest firefighter/paramedic was lower than comparable villages.
The new contract includes changing the current step 1 to the current step 2.
Walsh explained that the change allows for bargaining unit members to reach the top of their scale a year earlier.
“This is an attempt to be competitive in the marketplace, as hiring for fire departments remains a challenge,” he added.
Fire Chief Tom Gaertner said the fire department is currently fully staffed.