The South Milwaukee Common Council has approved a new contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1633.
The three-year deal — which is retroactive to Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31, 2020 — includes 2% pay raises each year and a continued commitment by firefighters to pay the same toward their health insurance and pensions as all other employees do. The latter point is significant because it keeps everyone on a level playing field, even though police and fire unions are exempted from Act 10 bargaining limitations.
The union has ratified the deal.
The IAFF Local 1633 represents 21 South Milwaukee firefighters and paramedics, and I thank them for their work on this contract – another strong example of the type of collaboration that can happen among public employee unions and their employers.
And this is a partnership – our front-line firefighters and paramedics working with department and city leaders on matters that are truly life and death. We are only as good as our people when it comes to delivering our services, and we’re blessed to have some of the best in the SMFD.
Here is the statement from IAFF Local 1633 President Kurt Egner …
The members of Local 1633 are proud to serve to the citizens of South Milwaukee and we strive to provide a safe community for the individuals and families here. We are happy to reach a fair agreement that allows us to continue to provide that sense of security to our own families as well.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
The council approved a three-year deal — with similar language around pay and benefits to the fire contract — with South Milwaukee Professional Police Association Local 201 in late 2017.
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