City firefighters will receive nearly $1.4 million in back pay connected to the longtime contract dispute with the city.
City Manager Kenneth A. Mix said Thursday the $1,396,559 payout for the retro pay, social security and retirement will be “just shy of $1.4 million.”
The payouts — that went out on Thursday — will bring the city current to the contract from July 2016 through June 30 of this year. In all, 84 checks are going out to firefighters and retirees, the city manager said.
Firefighters are receiving 2.5% raises for each year of the new contract after the city and Watertown Professional Firefighters Association Local 191 agreed to a new contract in August. They were required to receive the retroactive pay for the past four years within 60 days after the accord was ratified.
In August 2019, union members received an additional nearly $1 million in back pay for the years of 2014 to 2016.