(Londonderry) Firefighters agree to contract

This story appeared inthe Derry News on January 24, 2008 and was written by Suzanne Laurent

LONDONDERRY -- Londonderry's new fire chief, Kevin MacCaffrie, took the helm of the 40-member team of firefighters on Jan 21.

It was an eventful first day.

That evening, he was pinned by Town Council Chairman Joe Paradise and settled in to a council meeting that ran until almost midnight. During the meeting, the council reached agreement with IAFF Local 3160, the union representing firefighters and other fire employees on a new contract.

The proposed agreement allows the firefighters to move to a 42-hour workweek, which is the standard in the fire service in New Hampshire. The town has also agreed to maintain the firefighters' annual earnings under this proposal.

"It's what all the fire departments are going to," MacCaffrie said of the 42-hour week. "It was 56 hours and then 48. A 42-hour week is more efficient and more cohesive."

Under the new agreement, the town has to restructure its forces from three groups to four, which maintains the preferred staffing level of 10 employees per shift. However, any vacancies would have to be covered with overtime assignments.

"Operationally, it is easier to manage," MacCaffrie said.

Unlike previous negotiations, firefighters have agreed to wage and benefit adjustments which make the transition to a 42-hour workweek cost-effective for the town.

The firefighters will receive the same salary as for the 48-hour week, but will not have cost-of-living increases over the next three years.

The union has agreed to increase its share of health insurance premiums from 15 to 20 percent and to reduce the money paid by the town for agreeing to not subscribe to the town health plan. By the end of this four-year agreement, Fiscal Year 2011, employees who opt out of the town's health plan will see a 52 percent reduction in the amount currently paid by the town.

This unit also represents dispatchers and the fire inspector. The inspector position will be eligible for cost-of-living adjustments for all three years of the agreement. The dispatcher wage schedule is slated to be adjusted in the second year of the agreement to more accurately reflect market wages.

The major cost component to this contract is an increase of $155,000 in funds budgeted annually for overtime. Currently, the town employs enough firefighters to cover an appreciable percentage of shifts vacated by sick and vacation time and other scheduling issues.

It is estimated that implementation of the contract would result in a 5 cent increase in the tax rate per thousand dollars of valuation for Fiscal Year 2009, no change in Fiscal Year 2010, and 2 cents in Fiscal Year 2011.

Also at Monday's meeting, councilors voted 5-0 to take the $1.8 million bond for the North/West Fire Station off the ballot.

"We would like the voters to approve the South School bond this year and not have to worry about an increase in taxes for both items," said Councilor Kathy Wagner.

MacCaffrie said he understands that the town has to have its priorities this year for which items to put on the ballot.

"My message is just don't forget us next year," he said.