RACINE — Members of Racine Professional Firefighters Local 321 have ratified a new contract with the City of Racine.
The tentative agreement, approved in a vote this week, goes before the Racine Common Council for a vote next Tuesday (March 7). The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall Room 205.
Local 321 members have been working under a previous contract for the past two years. The union represents 128 Racine Fire Department employees.
Among the provisions in the new tentative agreement are:
- A 15.75% wage increase over four years. The pay would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2021.
- A $2,000 retention bonus.
- An additional paid holiday and 24 hours of vacation time.
- 320 hours of paid parental leave.
Additional pay for city resident firefighters
In addition, union firefighters who are City of Racine residents would receive an additional 3% in pay; be eligible for student loan repayment assistance, and be eligible for housing downpayment assistance. These incentives would bring Local 321 members in line with the city’s non-union employees.
“I want to congratulate both bargaining teams and thank the members of Racine Professional Firefighters Local 321 for ratifying this agreement,” said Mayor Cory Mason in a statement. “I will bring the agreement to the Common Council on Tuesday and urge them to support it. As we continue to face an increase in fire and EMS calls, I know we can continue working together to keep our city safe and healthy through this time.”
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