News - Local News

POSTED: Monday, Jun. 22, 2009

Firefighters agree to salary freeze, could save Bellingham $1 million

Union members still must vote on proposal

BELLINGHAM - City leaders and two unions have reached a tentative agreement on a salary freeze that would save more than $1 million through 2010, officials have announced.

The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 106 and 106S, which represent the Bellingham firefighters/medics and fire department supervisors, respectively, have reached a tentative one-year agreement for next year.

The agreement replaces one that was set to expire at the end of 2009, when city officials and the unions would have had to negotiate a new one anyway.

The proposed changes to the contracts, which still must be approved by union members and the City Council, would help close a $6 million budget deficit looming for 2010.

The agreements will not include a salary or wage increase, according to a city press release, and additional adjustments to the current contract, governing the balance of 2009, will also mean financial savings for the city. No other details were provided about the proposal.

Mayor Dan Pike said he estimates the savings this year will be about $260,000 and $760,000 in 2010.

Officials say more detail will be made available after the contract has been ratified by members and approved by the City Council, though council members must vote on the agreement in a public meeting.

"Our bargaining team understands the extraordinary circumstances facing the city," said Rob Wilson, Bellingham Fire Department division chief and president of the affected bargaining units. "At the same time, we owe our hardworking members and their families as much protection as possible as they endure the same financial stresses."

As part of the city's cost-cutting measures, a financial task force looking at long-term solutions for the budget had recommended about $8.3 million in cuts and revenue increases over the next few years.

Mayor Dan Pike agreed to take about $2 million in the recommended cuts and revenue increases. That included everything from installing red light traffic infraction cameras and increasing property taxes to reducing general fund support for Whatcom Museum.

But more than half of the task force's recommendations - about $4.83 million - came in salary and benefits freezes and cuts to the city's staff, nearly all of whom are members of eight unions. Those cuts would be contingent on union and City Council approval.

The city administration will ask the council to consider the new union agreement at its June 29 meeting.