Arbitrator gives firefighters new three-year contact

The Board of Arbitrator has settled a contract dispute between Sarnia and its firefighters, although the new collective agreement expires again at the end of this month.

The Board of Arbitrator has settled a contract dispute between Sarnia and its firefighters, although the new collective agreement expires again at the end of this month.

The award provides a three-year contract for members of the Sarnia Professional Firefighters Association. It includes salary increases of 1.5% each year and new pregnancy and parental leave provisions.

It also contains enhancements in some areas and reductions in others, City Hall said.

The previous contract expired Dec. 31, 2016, and the two parties failed to reach a settlement. The new deal covers the period from Jan. 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

Anticipating the award, the city has set aside money each year to cover the retroactive wage increases.

Sarnia has 123 firefighters that cover 168 square kilometres from five fire stations.