The Daily Herald has an article about a new contract for Hoffman Estates firefighters.

Hoffman Estates and its firefighters union Monday finally resolved their long dispute over the current three-year contract — with the added benefit of turning it into a harmonious six-year contract.

“That’s positive for everyone, and we did it without attorneys at the table,” Hoffman Estates Village Manager Jim Norris said.

Last summer, the union was awarded through arbitration a contract retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012, which stretched through Dec. 31, 2014. Village officials quickly appealed it. Their strongest disagreement with the contract — and the only change negotiated in the new one — was the arbiter’s granting 72 hours of unearned time off each year which could be used, accrued or cashed in. With 83 firefighters in the department, an additional 72 hours of time off was seen by village officials as a lot to schedule — or pay out.

The new agreement negotiates that down to 48 hours, with the understanding it must be used or cashed in during the same year it’s earned.

The unchanged part of the new contract still gives firefighters raises of 2.5 percent in 2012, none in 2013 and 2.5 percent in January 2014.

The new part of the contract grants a further 1 percent raise in March 2014, and 1 percent raises on Jan. 1 and June 1 of 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Union President Dean Slater said he, too, was pleased with the contract, adding that saving taxpayers pension costs was a priority throughout the negotiations.

thanks Dan

The Hoffman Estates village website also has information on the contract:

Village and Fire union reach settlement

Posted Date: 3/18/2014

Village and Fire union reach settlement 

Hoffman Estates, Ill., March 17, 2014 – The Village of Hoffman Estates and the Hoffman Estates Professional Firefighters Association Local 2061 union are pleased to announce the settlement of the most recent collective bargaining labor agreement. The previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2011. The new agreement is effective Jan. 1, 2012, lasting through Dec. 31, 2017.

Most significant about this contract renewal is that it settles the pending appeal to the arbitration award filed by the Village in 2013. The parties continued negotiating during this appeal process and were able to reach a voluntary settlement resolving the outstanding issues. Union leadership understands the difficult economic times and its negative impact upon the Village budget, and they worked with the Village on the new contract terms. The highlights of this renewal contract include an extension of the term through Dec. 31, 2017. The union agreed to forgo a salary increase in 2013 and increases to health insurance contributions and benefit plan changes. The Village agreed to additional personal leave benefits and set wage increases through 2017 of one percent in March, 2014; one percent in Jan. 1 and July 1 for years 2015, 2016 and 2017. This settlement also resolves all outstanding grievances and unfair labor practices between the parties.

Hoffman Estates Mayor William D. McLeod stated, “While this agreement took time to reach, I want to thank both negotiating teams for working so hard to reach a mutual agreement by keeping the lines of communication open.”

Local 2061 Union President Dean Slater remarked, “The union membership wanted an agreement that served the membership while saving the Village and the taxpayers’ money. I want to thank the Village President and Board of Trustees for working with us to reach this agreement.”

thanks Dennis

Tags: Dean Slater, Hoffman Estates Fire Department, Hoffman Estates Mayor William D. McLeod, Hoffman Estates Professional Firefighters Association Local 2061, Hoffman Estates Village Manager Jim Norris, new contract for Hoffman Estates firefighters