Font ResizeThe Rodeo-Hercules Fire District and its firefighters union have entered into a three-year labor agreement that calls for annual salary increases of 1 percent, 1.5 percent and 2.25 percent but leaves unchanged the current "2 percent at 50" retirement benefit. The new salary schedule is retroactive to Oct. 1.
The agreement also provides for a switch by February to a 48/96 work schedule — a six-day cycle of 48 hours on duty followed by 96 hours off duty. Rodeo-Hercules is the last department represented by Firefighters Union Local 1230 that still operates on a nine-day "Kelly" schedule: 24 hours on duty, 24 hours off duty, 24 on, 24 off, 24 on, 96 off. All other departments represented by Local 1230 — El Cerrito, Pinole, Moraga-Orinda, Contra Costa County and East Contra Costa — already operate on a 48/96 schedule.
Under the agreement, firefighters are limited to a maximum 120 continuous work hours. Exceptions can be made for out-of-area strike team assignments, holdover for travel time and, in general, emergency activities that require extended hours.
The uniform allowance goes from $40 a month to $55 a month.
Firefighters with 25 years of continuous service with the district will receive an extra 5 percent longevity pay until they complete 33 years of service or reach age 55, whichever comes later.
The district board ratified the agreement last week by a 4-0 vote. Member Bill Prather was supposed to participate
District Secretary Donna Heymans gets the same salary rate increases as the firefighters although she is not represented by the union.
By separate 4-0 votes, the board approved a change of medical and dental service providers. The district will set up a medical co-pay pool and contribute $10,000 over the three-year term of the agreement to reimburse employees and their dependents for the $15 per office visit co-pay charged by the new provider, CalPERS medical.
Reach Tom Lochner at 510-262-2760.
