Richmond’s union firefighters will receive a 9% pay raise across the next two years, triple the raises they’ve received during the 2023-24 contract.
A new two-year contract between the city and Richmond Professional Firefighters International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO Local 1408 was approved 3-0 by Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety members Dec. 19. Lt. Joe Buckler, part of the negotiating team for the union, said members ratified the contract during a vote Dec. 4 to 6.
The union represents up to 18 lieutenants, 18 engineers and 39 firefighters with Richmond Fire Department. The pay increase will be 4.5% in 2025 and 4.5% non-compounding in 2026, putting 2026 base pay rates at $53,040.21 for probationary firefighters, $58,933.35 for firefighters, $62,469.35 for engineers and $66,005.35 for lieutenants.
Union members also receive longevity pay after their hiring anniversary. The annual longevity pay for the contract term will be calculated at 1.25% the member’s base pay multiplied by one year fewer than the member’s years of service, plus $1,000.
Members also will receive a $1,000 clothing allowance each year of the contract.
The contract covering 2023 and 2024, which the board of works approved on April 27, 2023, included a 1.5% raise each year, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023. Negotiations for that contract failed to reach a compromise by December 2022, so the sides worked with a fact-finding panel. Richmond Common Council voted not to accept the panel’s recommendation of 2% raises each year, restarting negotiations.
Apartment work
The board of works approved a $2 million contract with the builder for the apartment development planned for the former Elder-Beerman site.
The contract, which is paid by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative program, includes civil and foundation work by Flaherty and Collins of Indianapolis.
New video
Richmond’s website will feature a new video tour of the city narrated by Mayor Ron Oler, and it will cost the city no more than a dollar.
CTI Digital will produce the project and seek sponsorships to cover the cost, according to a contract approved by the board of works.
Change orders
Two change orders that save the city money on the Loop project were approved by the board of works.
The city is saving $2,743.75 because space along East Main Street require use of smaller trees and additional plantings, and installing concrete curbs and gutters along Fort Wayne Avenue and North E Street is saving $1,992.
Other actions
- The board approved annual contracts for services in the Richmond Municipal Building, including with Elite Clean for floor cleaning and maintenance, with Flow Right Mechanical for plumbing services and with Carroll Electric for electrical services.
- A resolution that updated the city’s employee manual was approved.
A version of this article appeared in the January 1 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.