La Pine Fire, firefighters ratify new contract
Today the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District Board on Thursday ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters – La Pine Local 3387.
The La Pine firefighters had previously ratified the agreement on July 9th.
The La Pine Fire District and the firefighters have been in negotiation on a new labor agreement for over 18 months.
The goals for the new agreement were safety, sustainability and productivity.
The district and firefighters agreed on several major concepts, such as linking total compensation with the financial health and needs of the district and a new residency requirement for future firefighters.
Work rules were modified to develop more cooperative approaches and to improve on safety and productivity.
Firefighters were able to maintain current benefit packages and streamline earned promotional advances. The new contract updated firefighter health and wellness provisions and provides for drug and substance abuse testing if necessary.
No cost of living adjustments will be made the first two years, and the third year they are limited to up to 3 percent after, including total compensation and/or a contract reopener, if district revenues increase or fall more than 3 percent
The La Pine Fire District has 21 full time firefighter paramedics covered by its agreement with the IAFF. The district also has 12 scholarship student reserve positions, 8 volunteer reserve, and 10 senior support team members. It serves 120 square miles of the La Pine basin area from Sunriver into Klamath County with 3 stations.
