CALGARY – Firefighters in Rocky View County are one step closer to adopting an historic new collective bargaining agreement.
Rocky View firefighters joined the International Association of Fire Fighters three years ago and have been working towards a contract ever since. Wages have been a contentious issue however, and the union and employer have, until now, been unable to reach an agreement. Now, after several failed mediation attempts, contract talks have gone to arbitration.
The union isn’t saying what kind of salary increase they are looking for, but Rocky View firefighters are paid less than their urban counterparts and union officials are hoping to continue a trend that has seen rural salaries become more competitive.
Meanwhile, the reeve of Rocky View has raised concerns that wage increases like those in Leduc and other rural areas could affect their bottom line.
“We don’t know what to expect actually. We have seen what some other areas have gotten, like Leduc and things like that. And if it ends up going to the levels they have, we are pretty worried about our budget,” says Rolly Ashdown.
The county says a big settlement will impact taxes and other services.
Arbitration is scheduled to last up to five days this week, with a decision expected within a month.
The international Association of Fire Fighters is based in Washington and represents about 300,000 firefighters and paramedics.
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