Greenfield Fire Union, City Reach Contract Agreement

Earlier this month, the City of Greenfield and its firefighters union, Local 1963, .

This week, the two sides worked out a two-year contract effective Jan. 1.

On Tuesday, the Common Council ratified the union’s contract, a move that prevented and eliminated the need for furlough days for all city workers.

Ultimately, the city got its wish, which was for all city employees to contribute the same amount toward their pension and their health insurance. Weeks after the 12.6 percent toward their insurance plans and 5.9 percent, the fire union agreed to do the same.

Those percentages were sticking points earlier this month, and leading to a keeping Neitzke from implementing a different, less attractive and more expensive insurance plan for the union members.

“I’m very grateful to the fire department for stepping up and recognizing that times are tough and sacrifices need to be made,” Neitzke said. “We have some of the best firefighters and paramedics around and with this behind us it’s time to move on. This is nothing to gloat about but it certainly helps the financial condition of the city, which is under enormous stress like every other city in the state.”

Neitzke believes the city’s police and fire unions are among the first in the state to voluntarily contribute the same amounts paid by general municipal employees pursuant to Acts 10 and 32 of Gov. Scott Walker’s budget.

In exchange for their financial concessions, the city agreed to change residency requirements for firefighters.

“Residency, from our perspective is becoming obsolete,” Neitzke said. “Firefighters are very highly skilled employees. Many are paramedics. You want to get the largest pool of candidates that you can to fill that need. While residency has some nostalgic value, it’s not as important as it once was.”

In addition, while there will be no pay increases in 2012, wages will increase by 2.25 percent in 2013.