IL Union's New Deal Requires Residency

A majority of Springfield's firefighters voted this week in favor of a contract negotiated between their union and the city administration.

The International Association of Firefighters Local 37 began negotiations with the city in November 2015, and the more than 200 firefighters it represents have been working without a contract since March 2016, according to union president and Battalion Chief Gary Self. The ratified contract covers five years, from March 2016 through February 2021.

Firefighters voted Wednesday and Thursday, and though Self wasn't told the exact result by union trustees, Self said the vote was close.

One of the major sticking points for both sides was whether firefighters would be required to live within city limits. Mayor Jim Langfelder campaigned on having the city workforce live within city limits, and with the exception of the police union contract, all contracts between the city and municipal employee unions now have a residency requirement.

The residency requirement in the firefighter contract would apply to those hired after Jan. 1, 2019. Those new hires would have six months upon completing their probationary period to move into Springfield. Unlike most of the other contracts the city has negotiated, firefighters would only have to live in Springfield for 15 years. After that, they could move outside Springfield but continue to work for the city.

Firefighters also will receive annual raises over the five-year contract. The 2 percent raise in the first year won't be factored toward firefighters' pensions. In subsequent years, firefighters will get raises of 1.5, 1.25, 1.5 and 1.75 percent.

The firefighters' final-year raise of 1.75 percent would go higher if Springfield police officers get a raise exceeding 1.75 percent during the final year of the firefighter's contract. The two raises must be the same if police officers get more than 1.75 percent, the fire contract states. The city and the police union are currently negotiating a three-year contract.

Self called the negotiations "long and arduous."

"It's a business deal between the city and the local," Self said of the contract. "The citizens will always receive a good product from the firefighters and the city of Springfield."

Self said he didn't want to weigh in on the terms of the agreement until Springfield City Council members were able to view it. For the contract to go into effect, it has to be approved by aldermen. A final vote could come as early as Feb. 5.

Langfelder said he was glad the city and the firefighters union were able to come to an "amicable solution in everybody's best interest." Langfelder said the city has carried over the amount needed for retroactive pay for firefighters in the city budget.

"Anytime you have a contract done, it's a lift off your shoulders," Langfelder said.

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