Cape May Approves Contract with Firefighters

CAPE MAY — City Council approved a contract with the city’s career firefighters at a Mon., Nov. 14 meeting.
Firefighters have been working without a contract since January 2010. The six-year contract is through the International Association of Firefighter, Local 3495 and is retroactive.
The contract notes all firefighters hired before Jan. 1, 2006 including all lieutenants and the Deputy Chief, shall receive annual increases of $1,300. Longevity payments for the 20th through the 25th year of service shall be accelerated so that a one time increase of $1,400 shall take effect on Jan. 1, 2012 reduced by any prior year’s increases which will result in a total cumulative payment of $7,000 for the 21st through 27th years of service.
Salaries for senior firefighters hired prior to Jan. 1, 2006 with less than 21 years of service range from $77,786 in 2010 increasing to $84,286 in 2015.
For a lieutenant with less than 21 years of service, the salary ranges from $81,490 in 2010 to $87,990 in 2015.
All firefighters hired on or before Jan. 1, 2006 and prior to Jan. 1, 2010 shall receive annual increases beginning in Jan. 1, 2010 and ending on Dec. 31, 2015, which will enable them to reach a top salary of $76,486.
Firefighters hired in 2006 will earn $46,928 in 2012 increasing to $76,486 in 2015. Firefighters hired in 2007-2008 will earn $45,5743 in 2012 increasing to 76,486 in 2015.
All firefighters hired on or after Jan. 1, 2011 shall receive a starting salary of $36,000.
Firefighters hired after 1/1/11 will receive $39,333 in their second year of service, $42,666 in their third year, $45,999 in their fourth year, $49,332 in their fifth year, $52,665 in their sixth year, $55,998 in their seventh year, $59,331 in their eighth year, $62,664 in the ninth year and $66,000 in their 10th year.
In addition to salary, only firefighters hired prior to July 1, 2000 shall receive longevity pay with is 2 percent for five years of service, 4 percent for 10 years, 6 percent for 15 years, 8 percent for 20 years and 10 percent for 24 years.