VIDEO: Officials announced Wednesday that a deal that includes a 15% raise over four years and addressing staffing concerns had been reached with the Omaha firefighters union.
The agreement between the city and Local No. 385 includes a 15% raise over four years, with a 5% increase in 2024, 4% in 2025, and 3% in both 2026 and 2027; as well as raising salaries for lead paramedics.
It also ups the “widow’s pension” benefit to 90% for firefighters hired after Jan. 2, 2013, to bring them in line with the rest of the Omaha Fire Department. Previously, the more recent hires had received a 50% benefit.
In order to cover the increase, the city and employees will increase pension contributions by equal amounts in order to “ensure no adverse impact to the pension fund.”