NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
17 May 2002

CITY, FIREFIGHTERS AGREE TO 4-YEAR CONTRACT

Harrisburg, PA — Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that the city has reached a new collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local #428, who represent the city’s 103 uniformed firefighters. The contract calls for annual salary increases of 2% in 2002 and 3% in each succeeding year through 2005. The total cost of the contract over the four-year term is $1,595,310.

Reed said a highlight of the new contract is a city residency requirement for all new firefighters hired after January 1 of this year, marking the first time that a residency requirement has ever been included in the contract. Other benefits to the city’s taxpayers include a small reduction in the annual clothing allowance, and changes in health care and other benefits.

New or enhanced benefits for the firefighters include improved pension benefits, including an annual cost of living increase for retirees, replacement of eyeglasses and watches lost or damaged while on duty and increases in longevity pay.

“The city and firefighter’s union negotiating teams did an excellent job on this new 4-year agreement,” said the Mayor, “and we are delighted with the inclusion of a residency requirement.

“We salute the members of both negotiating teams, and applaud their tenacity, dedication and sacrifice in helping attain this groundbreaking new agreement,” said the Mayor.

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