City Council OKs 3-Month Extension Of Firefighters Pact; Talks to Continue

The Pasadena City Council on Monday extended the city’s deal with the 135-member Pasadena Fire Fighters Association until Sept. 30, allowing time for negotiations to resume on a new long-term contract.

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

Talks about a new deal had begun 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.

That was the action approved unanimously Monday by the council.

Council Member Steve Madison called the move “essentially a place-holder” until a new contract can be negotiated.

One economic factor that was finalized on Monday, however, was an immediate pay increase of $100 a month, retroactive to July 1, for firefighter-paramedics.

Among the reasons behind that, according to the staff report, were:

* “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.’’

Council Member Victor Gordo praised the firefighters for their patience during the protracted contract process.

“I think it’s important to highlight that our firefighters, recognizing this is a very difficult time for the city budgetarily, have extended their contract essentially with no pay raises, doing the right thing for the right reason,’’ Gordo said. “I think that should be recognized.’’