Austin firefighters to receive pay bump following new contract
Published: Tue, 09/12/23
Austin firefighters to receive pay bump following new contract
The city of Austin and the Austin Firefighters Association entered a new labor agreement Sept. 8.
(Ben Thompson/Community Impact)
Community Impact
By Katy McAfee |
Updated
Austin firefighters are set to receive a pay bump, a shortened work week and another paid holiday off as the city and Austin Firefighters Association entered a new labor agreement Sept. 8.
The arbitration agreement—a legally binding contract settled by a third party—went into effect immediately and runs through Sept. 30, 2025.
- Base wage increases of 4% for fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25
- A one-time payment equal to 2% annual base pay, plus additional pay for the lack of increased base pay in FY 2022-23
- Adding Juneteenth as a paid day off
- Shortening firefighters' work week by one hour
- Ending random drug testing and post-accident drug testing. Firefighters who have a cannabis prescription, are using it appropriately and not impaired on the job will not be disciplined.
“The city’s wage proposal would not result in Austin firefighters being the highest paid firefighters in Travis County, much less in the entire state,” AFA President Bob Nicks said in an Aug. 15 news release.
Nicks added that inflation-adjusted wages for Austin firefighters have fallen by 14.2% since 2017.
“This arbitration has been a new and rather protracted process, but we are pleased with the arbitrator panel’s decision and award,” acting Assistant City Manager Bruce Mills said in a Sept. 8 news release.