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Gloucester City and FMBA Local 51 and 251 Reach Agreement; No Firemen Will Be Laid Off

By CNBNews.net

The two year contract talks between the City of Gloucester City and the union leadership that represents the City’s paid fire department came to an end today, Wednesday. The two sides met in the municipal building at 4:30 pm to cross the t’s and Dolson Family Cateringdot the i’s on a three year contract agreement.

The union consented to no salary increase in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 as well as capping vacation buys back and the elimination of holiday pay. Additionally, sick time buy back will be eliminated for the life of the contract. One of the key provisions in the agreement was the FMBA consent to eliminate longevity and roll it into the base salary.

In April the public was told that the contract talks between the police union (PBA) and

the City was in arbitration along with the contract talks with the firefighters (FMBA). City solicitor John Kearney said then “the cost for arbitration so far is $13,000 ($10,000 for police and $3,000 for firefighters). I know the City will win as there is no money to pay for any raises. Instead of the City being able to use this money to help fund the budget the unions are forcing the city to waste money to have me represent council.”

Citing a $1.2 million budget deficit the City announced it would lay off 15 employees. Of that number 8 were in the fire department, 1 in the police department, 1 in community development and 5 in the department of administration. Four of those five are part-time employees.

At the time the notices went out (May 14) City Administrator Jack Lipsett said, “The notices are just part of a process that must be followed. We are still meeting with union representatives trying to avert any layoffs in the fire and police department”.  Lipsett added that three officers in the fire department who are retiring soon will not be replaced. Lipsett said since the fire department had the most employees (23 firefighters and 10 supervisors) and a $4 million budget that department will see the most cuts.

Today, Councilman Nick Marchese, who is involved with the negotiations said no agreement has been reached with the other unions as such the 7 other employees are still laid off.

The contentious battle over the proposed layoffs between the FMBA and the City came to a head at the May council meeting with close to 300 supporters of the firemen in attendance. Members of council were berated and lambasted by the speakers who argued the City was jeopardizing the safety of the residents by cutting back on manpower in the fire department. The meeting that night lasted for two and half hours with neither side giving in. The union reiterated their points in newspaper advertisements and with an internet website. Signs saying “We Support Our Gloucester City Firefighters” were posted on lawns throughout the community.

The discord between the supporters and those who stood behind mayor and council was dividing the community in half. All that is left now is mending fences.

Bob Williams, a FMBA union representative said on Wednesday that the membership is very happy with the agreement. He added that both sides (the union and City) approved the following statement to be released to the public.

After numerous meetings and constructive debate the City of Gloucester and the FMBA Local’s 51 and 251 have come up with an agreement on a three year contract that will avert layoffs in the Gloucester City Fire Department.

The three year contract calls for no salary increase in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 as well as capping vacation buy back and the elimination of holiday pay. Additionally, sick time buy back will be eliminated for the life of the contract. One of the key provisions in the agreement was the FMBA agreement to eliminate longevity and roll it into the base salary.

In addition FMBA Local 51, the rank and file union, will join the Superior Officers union in formally agreeing to the 212 hour work cycle. This agreement was agreed to informally back in May 2008.

This agreement with the FMBA will increase the tax rate 6.2 cents, which equates to $45 for the average Gloucester City homeowner.

“We feel that this is the right thing to do for the citizens of Gloucester” said Mayor William James. “This agreement will bring about considerable savings to residents well into the future.”

Finance Committee Chairman Nicholas Marchese stated “we estimate that this agreement will immediately save the city $300,000.00 when you factor in the savings for 0 percent salary increases and the funds the city will not have to expend on attorney’s fees and unemployment compensation”

“We believe that this agreement is a fair compromise and the FMBA looks forward to continuing to serve the residents of Gloucester City.” said Battalion Chief Bob Williams. 

Marchese said, “I would also like to thank Chief Williams for his help with the negotiations. Pine Hill BannerOnce he came on board we were able to accomplish a lot more. Furthermore I like to thank Councilman Bruce Parry who has been meeting with the volunteer firemen to work out their problems and answer their concerns. It is hoped that we will be able to attract more people to become volunteer firemen in the near future.”

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