Jeannette approves new firefighters contract

Jeannette’s three paid firefighters have a new four-year contract on the books.

The pact will go into effect January 2023 after the current four-year collective bargaining agreement inked in 2019 expires. Council approved the contract last week.

Chief fiscal officer Ethan Keedy said the new agreement includes an hourly pay increase of 60 cents for each year and the base rate for new hires was raised to $56,773.

“I’m glad that we were able to reach an agreement prior to year end,” Keedy said.

Firefighters will pay more towards their health insurance under the new agreement — 20% compared to 15% in the current contract. Uniform allowance will increase from $525 to $800, but the paid firefighters must submit receipts to be reimbursed, Keedy said.

The three firefighters, who work 24-hour shifts, will be allowed to accrue a maximum of 60 days of sick time, up from 42 days. Keedy said the change allows the trio to have up to six months off which is equivalent to other collective bargaining units in the city in which employees work eight-hour days.

A representative of the fire department’s union could not be reached Tuesday.