Politics & Government

Beachwood Passes Union Contracts Days Before Issue 2 Vote

Firefighters' annual raises drop; city no longer paying all health premiums

The City of Beachwood passed three union contracts at a special meeting Monday, just days before the Nov. 8 vote over

International Association of Firefighters Local 2388 President Matt Domonkos said that the pending vote has influenced their contract, which includes smaller wage increases and requires firefighters to pay into their health care.

“I think it’s definitely a factor, and it’s a factor in us getting a contract in place before the vote,” he said.

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Under the three-year contract, effective Dec. 1, firefighters receive a 1.5 percent annual wage increase and must begin paying for 15 percent of their health insurance premiums.

Under the current contract, firefighters received a 3 percent wage increase annually and did not contribute to health care premiums.

Find out what's happening in Beachwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Domonkos added that he believes the contract is a "reasonable offer from both sides."

The contract also requires that the city increase the annual wage increase to 3 percent Dec. 1, 2013 if Ohio provides an alternative to make up

saving the city nearly $80,000 per new firefighter over their first six years of employment. This starting salary — which was lowered from about $60,000 to just under $45,000 — will also see a 1.5 percent annual increase under the new contract.

Stay tuned to Beachwood Patch for information about union contracts approved for the police dispathers and clerks and service workers.


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