Bethel residents press for higher firefighter pay as union contract talks continue

Six Bethel residents asked the City Council on Oct. 13 to pay the city's firefighters more. Some warned that low wages could leave the fire department short of staff.

The fire department "is preparing for anticipated staffing reductions" and plans to recruit certified firefighters and trainers, according to City Manager Lori Strickler's report to the council. Staffing problems are affecting several city departments, "particularly Piped Utilities and Fire Services," the report says. It doesn't say what is behind the expected reductions.

The testimony came in the middle of contract talks. The city reached a tentative agreement with its employee union, known as COBEA, but union members rejected it, and negotiations "remain ongoing," the report says.

Buster Hanson told the council the low hourly wage may cause critical staffing problems at the fire department, and Brian Kruse said pay is low and morale is falling, according to the draft minutes. Both asked that firefighters be paid the rate in the union contract. Matthew Cleaver asked for pay high enough that firefighters can stay and afford to live in Bethel. Max Lorentz said starting pay for public safety jobs doesn't match the risks. Silas Vongsamath asked for pay that prevents staffing problems, and CJ McCormick said he hopes firefighters can be valued with their pay.

Several council members thanked the firefighters who came to the meeting. Alicia Miner said she wants more information, and Mark Springer said he looks forward to administration explaining the fire department's pay situation. Pamela Conrad encouraged the department to work with the city on a solution.

In June, administration said it had compared wage scales across Alaska and offered "significant market-based wage adjustments" in a three-year agreement. A Sept. 28 Human Resources report said a new agreement was ready to go to union members and the council, with many terms retroactive to July 1, and that employees would get new job descriptions developed in a classification and compensation study. On Oct. 20, the city said on Facebook that it had posted the study and a letter from Strickler on firefighter pay on its website.

Firefighter pay has been an issue before. A city payroll review found its firefighters had been paid a lower hourly rate meant to be offset by scheduled days off, known as Kelly Days, without getting the days off. In July, the council moved $100,000 into fire salaries to repay them.

Fire pay isn't on the council's Oct. 27 agenda. Its only November meeting is Nov. 10.