BY IRENE LABOMBARDE
Under the terms of a new union contract, Bedford firefighters will now be covered by short-term and long-term disability and life insurance, have the same health insurance benefits as police and nonlabor groups, and be eligible for annual cost-of-living wage increases.
Under the new contract, the salary ranges will be adjusted by the consumer price index beginning in 2008, with increases of not less than 2 percent nor greater than 4 percent.
The contract between the town of Bedford and the Bedford Professional Firefighters’ Association was ratified by the union on June 21 and approved by the Town Council on June 27. The new contract will be in effect from July 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2008. The previous contract expired in 2005.
“It’s great to have a contract that has been signed,” said Fire Chief Scott Wiggin. “Obviously, this helps our staff. Without a contract, it’s a big unknown and now everyone is on the same playing field.”
Town Manager Russ Marcoux said negotiations were at an impasse when he took over the position in February. He said his approach was to take all issues off the table and begin anew. Because the firefighters’ union will be included when the town negotiates full contracts with all its unions next year, negotiators were willing to focus on wages and benefits for this 18-month contract.
Major changes were made to the health insurance package. By including the firefighters in the same insurance plans offered other employees, Marcoux said the town was able to save at least $100,000. Member co-payments will increase from $5 to $10 under the new plan, along with increased prescription costs to the standard $10/$20/$30 tiers.
Marcoux said about $47,000 of the savings from the health insurance package was used to provide firefighters short-term disability, long-term disability and one-times salary life insurance for the first time. These premiums are paid entirely by the town. Marcoux said he is pleased the town could offer these benefits and still realize significant savings.