City reaches deal with firefighter managers on contract (After a five-year labor dispute)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120706/NEWS/707079942/1685#city-reaches-deal-with-firefighter-managers-on-contract

Published Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 1:00 am / Updated at 2:40 pm

By Matt Wynn
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

After a five-year labor dispute, the top managers of the Omaha Fire Department appear to have a new contract.

The Omaha City Council and the Fire Management Team, which consists of Fire Chief Mike McDonnell and three assistant chiefs, announced a tentative agreement Friday that increases the retirement age for new hires, sets annual pay raises of between 2 and 3 percent and moves the fire managers to the city's standard health plan.

The contract is not yet finalized, but the council outlined some provisions of the agreement in a press release issued Friday evening.

“This is a really important step forward in the labor relations of the city. But it's only one step toward reform necessary to protect the taxpayers and shield future generations from the pension shortfall,” said City Councilwoman Jean Stothert.

FULL story at link.