After nearly six months of negotiations, talks between the city
and the Hollister Firefighters Union for a new contract are nearly
complete, according to officials from both sides.
After nearly six months of negotiations, talks between the city and the Hollister Firefighters Union for a new contract are nearly complete, according to officials from both sides.
The old contract, which began January 1999, expired Dec. 31, and the City Council will consider passing a retroactive pay agreement for firefighters Tuesday.
Under the plan, the city would continue paying salaries according to the previous contract while the two sides negotiate. Once a contract is signed, the city would pay the difference between the old and new salaries for shifts worked after Jan. 10.
“I’m just happy the negotiations are in good faith,” said Fire Chief Bill Garringer, who is not involved in the contract talks. “Both sides are keeping it professional. I’m confident in them reaching a good contract that will satisfy everybody.”
The city and firefighters union entered negotiations Aug. 9. Officials would not discuss specific details still under discussion, including salary raises sought by the union. Garringer said, however, both sides have tentatively agreed on most of the contractual issues.
According to Bob Del Campo, president of the firefighters union, the two sides differ on the length of the contract. He said firefighters remain wary about signing a long-term deal because of the troubled economy.
“It would give us the opportunity to see how the economy goes,” Del Campo said regarding a shorter contract.
He said the firefighters prefer a contract for less than two years to avoid the possibility for “stale pay increases” if the economy improves.
Other city agencies in the region, including the Gilroy and Salinas fire departments, have experienced the same situation, he said. The SFD and City of Salinas took more than a year to negotiate its most recent contract, he said.
According to Del Campo, the length of the current negotiations was not unusual for a city of Hollister’s size.
Clay Lee, the city’s management services director, is one of three members on the negotiation team appointed by former city manager George Lewis.
Lee said he hoped to have a deal completed within two weeks. Garringer and Del Campo also expect a deal will be reached soon.
“It’s just a matter of ironing out final details,” Garringer said.
Others negotiating for the city are Public Works Director Clint Quilter and Finance Director Barbara Mulholland. Lee said interim city manager Ed Kreins, who has experience with contract negotiations, has also consulted on strategy.
“We still treat it as if he’s the permanent city manager,” Lee said of Kreins. “He’s aware of the situation.”
The salary structure for firefighters is broken down into three positions: firefighter, fire engineer and fire captain. Each position has six salary levels, with each increasing level including a 5 percent pay increase. The structure would not change under the new contract, Lee said. Only the specific dollar amounts would be altered.
The firefighters union seeks public input on the issue and wants people to write letters to the editor at the Free Lance or to attend Council meetings to voice opinions, Del Campo said.
“Our main goal is the community, and we’re just part of that,” Del Campo said.
