SeaTac firefighters finally have a contract.

The firefighters have been working without an agreement since 2010, but SeaTac lawmakers unanimously approved a three-year contract on May 10.

The city and the International Association of Firefighters Local #2919 had been negotiating since October 2009 with a tentative agreement reached during the mediation process in September. Firefighters ratified the agreement in March.

The City Council was scheduled to vote on the contract April 26. However, Councilwoman Pam Fernald asked that the vote be delayed two weeks so she could ask some questions during an executive session. Personnel decisions are handled in private sessions with the public barred.

City Attorney Mary Mirante Bartolo reported May 10 that an executive session had been held with Fernald, Councilman Rick Forschler and Mayor Terry Anderson present. Fernald was absent from the May 10 council meeting.
Forschler said he would vote for the contract because it would cost the city more to go through arbitration.

"While we need to approve this, I am not happy," Forschler declared. "The annual salary is not extravagant but the amount of work versus the salary is out of whack."

Forschler said out of the 24-hour shift period, firefighters are required to work 7 1/2 hours while being on call 16 hours.

Under the new contract, firefighters will work two consecutive 24-hour shifts before having days off. Forschler said. He voiced safety concerns because of the new schedule.

He suggested that volunteer firefighters could be hired for the two shifts per day that are less busy. Forschler said the city could then pay career firefighters a higher salary.

Forschler added that the political strength of the firefighters union is resulting in higher and higher pay for firefighters. That takes away funds from other government services, he concluded.