Kitchener reaches new deal with firefighters’ union

The City of Kitchener has reached an agreement with the firefighters’ union on a new three-year contract.

The deal will see wages increase at an average rate of 1.79 per cent per year over the course of the agreement.

“I’m happy with the agreement that was reached. I would like to commend the leadership and dedication of both the fire department management team and the association for coming to the table with a commitment to reach a deal that is fair and that benefits us all,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said in a statement.

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The new deal will see an increase in psychological health benefits as well as the creation of a wellness program with a focus on medical surveillance, annual fitness testing and fitness/wellness education.

The contract is retroactive to January 2018 with a wage increase of 1.25 per cent.

There are seven fire stations in Kitchener which offer fire monitoring, prevention, public education, rescue, suppression, emergency medical services and community leadership to citizens in the city of Kitchener.