The Bremerton Fire Department has a new union contract and will get a new chief but has yet to pop its ballooning overtime budget.
The City Council passed a three-year agreement Wednesday night between the city and its firefighters' union. It includes a 2.5 percent bump in pay for 2016 that will cost about $141,000 this year, with subsequent increases of 2 percent in 2017 and between 1.5 and 2.5 percent in 2018, depending on inflation. The contract also includes a new health care provider.
The city's union and fire department leadership were pleased with the contract. Mayor Patty Lent, noting that the city has reached multiyear agreements this year with all its unions, felt negotiations were aided by a greater camaraderie between the sides and a less litigious atmosphere.