Posted: Dec. 11, 2009

Union leaders and the North Shore Fire Department negotiating team are back at work this week, hoping to tweak a proposed contract and avoid demotions, the loss of one position and a reduction in daily staffing that will take place Jan. 1.

Local 1440, the firefighters union, failed, by a 56-46 vote, to ratify a one-year contract with the department this month.

Union President Steve Tippel said he is hopeful a contract can be worked out by year's end.

If not, one firefighter will be laid off, and six lieutenants and nine heavy equipment operators will be demoted. The layoff and demotions are based on seniority, he said.

Daily staffing for the department would be reduced from 29 to 26 per day, which raises another concern.

"We fear the cuts might impact service to residents and the safety of firefighters," Tippel said.

The 2010 budget for the department, approved Dec. 7 by the board of directors, was based on a union contract with benefits similar to those currently in place, according to Deputy Chief Robert Whitaker, a member of the department's negotiating team.

An increase of 15 percent in health care coverage with United Healthcare is a major factor in driving up the benefit costs, Whitaker said.

"I would estimate a deficit of about $750,000 because of that," he said.

The 2010 estimated cost of health insurance for the department is between $2.2 and $2.4 million, he said.

Board tried to switch carriers

The board of directors in November took action that allows the department to enter into the state health insurance plan, but union members did not agree to the change.

"The benefit level (in the state plan) is different," Whitaker said. "The rate of (cost) increase over the last few years has not been as much as our current plan."

The agreement among the NSFD member communities allows the budget to increase by the consumer price index plus 2 percent.

"The CPI was a negative one percent," Whitaker said. "That plus 2 percent is a positive one percent budget increase. We have not been able to find any other additional revenue source and none of our current revenues, including fees, equal the funding needed for our current number of employees and the current staffing plan."

Both sides think they can do it

Tippel and Whitaker both agree that the number one priority is to maintain the current level of service for the residents, first and foremost, and to maintain jobs and positions as well.

"Given the vote and the sentiment I am hearing from members, I believe we will get it done," Tippel said.

Both the union and the board would have to approve the contract before it would go into effect.