City Council Eyes 3-Month Extension Of Firefighters Deal While Talks Continue

The Pasadena City Council, facing a crowded agenda after not meeting since June 29, is expected Monday to discuss extending the city’s deal with the 135-member Pasadena Fire Fighters Association for three months, until Sept. 30, while a new long-term contract is negotiated.

The sides have been operating under an extended “Memorandum of Understanding” that began on July 1, 2017, and officially expired on June 30.

Talks about a new deal had begun back on Feb. 5, but were put on hold “due to the immediate and significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic was projected to have on the city’s budget along with the ongoing uncertainty including long-term impact,’’ a city staff report said.

“The parties continued to communicate over the next three months primarily to discuss non-economic items and agreed to extend the existing contract and memorialize changes in a Side Letter of Agreement,’’ the report added.

However, one economic factor that is expected to be finalized ahead of any long-term contract is a pay increase of $100 a month, as of July 1, for firefighter-paramedics. That’s among the items to be discussed Monday.

Among the reasons cited by the staff report are:

* “Market Placement: Pasadena’s paramedic pay for firefighters ranked 10th out of 11 in a survey of benchmark agencies.’’

* “The ongoing need to attract and retain paramedics, which are in high demand throughout our region, and to increase staffing levels at the firefighter paramedic rank, thereby reducing forced overtime.’’

The staff report said that, of the 46 budgeted firefighter paramedic positions, about 23 percent have been vacant since fiscal year 2019 “due to challenges recruiting and hiring qualified candidates.’’

Monday’s council meeting, which will be conducted by teleconference, is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. It will be live streamed at www.pasadenamedia.org and at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/agendas.