The Lewiston City Council has approved a three-year contract with the city firefighters union.
The first year cost of the agreement is about $112,000, which was included in the 2013 budget. Wages increase 1.6 percent in the first year, starting Oct. 1, and by 1 percent to 2.5 percent in the following two years.
The new contract also cleans up language to reflect current practices, modifies clothing allowances to reflect current costs, and continues a medical expense reimbursement plan but reduces the city’s contribution from $150 a month to $75 for each person.
Monday’s final vote was 5-1 with Clinton Daniel abstaining and Ged Randall opposing it because of an existing provision that gives firefighters overtime even if some of the hours are sick leave or other non-working hours. Randall said federal law only requires payment of overtime for hours actually worked.
