In a move West Shore Fire Department Commission Chairman Robert Bruneau called “phenomenal” and “unheard of,” the firefighters union in that district unanimously agreed to defer a contractual raise for two years to ease the burden on taxpayers.
“I think it’s big,” Bruneau said. “I think they want to do what’s best for the district. I think it’s unheard of, it’s phenomenal we were able to open the contract” and come to an agreement.
The deferment of raises will save the district some $270,000 over the two years, Bruneau said. There will be a proposed tax rate increase of quarter-The deferment of raises will save the district some $270,000 over the two years, Bruneau said. There will be a proposed tax rate increase of quarter-mill, but that would have been about double if not for the deferment, officials said.
Lt. Chris Haley, union representative for the West Shore Professional Firefighters, said the team agrees — they want to ease the burden to taxpayers.