Firefighter union to vote on contract

Date: February 11, 2013
by: Robin Hartill | City Editor

The town and its firefighter union have been in negotiations for nearly a year.

The town’s firefighters will vote Wednesday, Feb. 20, and Thursday, Feb. 21, on whether to ratify a three-year contract approved last month by the Longboat Key Town Commission.

The agreement would freeze the firefighter’s current pension plan and enroll current and future firefighters in the Florida Retirement System.

The town and firefighters would split required FRS contributions 50/50, with the town’s maximum contribution capped at 13%, according to the agreement. The tentative agreement also includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for firefighters.

Ratification of the contract will require a vote of 50% plus one of the union’s 30 members who vote.

Contact Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.