SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
After weeks of discussions, the City of Reno and Reno Fire Fighters IAFF Local 731 have reached a tentative agreement for a new contract from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2013. The agreement also settles the fiscal year 2010-2011 contract.
The agreement needs to go to a vote of the union membership and, once approved by the membership, the final contract comes back to the Reno City Council for adoption.
Firefighters offered an overall package that meets the city’s goal of 7.5 percent in salary reductions and related benefit costs. Total savings is estimated at $2.1 million in permanent pay reductions.
Reaching the agreement means that the city will not need to lay off 12 firefighters on June 30 as identified in the adopted budget and will keep the current level of fire services stable. The city has agreed to accept the SAFER grant that was recently awarded to the city, bringing back 10 firefighters previously laid off, which should allow the Reno Fire Department to open additional equipment and stations. Details of the tentative agreement are attached.
“This agreement is a big step by providing new, permanent reductions to help the city during these difficult financial times and provide more management rights for our fire chief,” advised Mayor Bob Cashell. “The Union, city manager and staff along with this council have worked hard putting in long hours to come together in order to reach an agreement that will benefit our residents and entire community.”
Talks with other bargaining groups continue.
