Bethel residents urge higher firefighter pay after union members reject tentative deal

Six Bethel residents asked the Bethel City Council on Oct. 13 to raise city firefighters' pay, and two of them urged the council to pay the full hourly rate in the collective bargaining agreement.

The testimony came during contract talks. The city manager's report says union members rejected a tentative agreement and that negotiations "remain ongoing." It names Fire Services among the departments hardest hit by staffing problems. It says the department "is preparing for anticipated staffing reductions" and plans to recruit certified firefighters and trainers. The department lists a career staff of eight.

According to the draft minutes, Buster Hanson said the low hourly wage may cause critical staffing problems at the fire department. Brian Kruse said pay is low and morale is falling. Both asked for the contract rate. 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 does not match the risks. Silas Vongsamath asked for pay that prevents staffing problems, and CJ McCormick said firefighters should be valued with their pay.

Several council members thanked firefighters who came to the meeting. Council Member Alicia Miner said she wants more information. Mark Springer said he looks forward to administration explaining the fire department's pay situation. Pamela Conrad urged the department to work with the city on a solution, and Kelsi Kime said it is important for people's voices to be heard.

In June, administration said it had compared wage scales across Alaska and offered "significant market-based wage adjustments" for a three-year agreement. A Sept. 28 Human Resources report called the new agreement ready for the union, known as COBEA, and the council. It said many terms would be retroactive to July 1, others would take effect Dec. 1 and new pay ranges would come from a classification and compensation study.

On July 28 the council voted 6-0 to move $100,000 into fire salaries for employees who were paid the lower Kelly Shift rate without the paid days off that rate assumes.

In an Oct. 20 Facebook post, the city said it had posted the compensation study and a letter from City Manager Lori Strickler on firefighter pay on its website.

The council's Oct. 27 agenda has no fire pay or contract item. Its only November meeting is Nov. 10.