Kamloops firefighters sign five year collective agreement

KAMLOOPS – The city and local firefighters have reached a new five year deal.

International Association of Fire Fighters Local 913, which represents the city’s firefighters, has voted to ratify a new collective agreement with the City of Kamloops, according to a media release. The contract covers a five year period from Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2019.

Highlights of the new contract include training improvements and a 2.5 per cent annual wage increase similar to what fire departments in the Lower Mainland have been getting.

The contract follows closely behind the unveiling of the new five year strategic plan for Kamloops Fire Rescue, which was presented to city council Dec. 6.

Getting both the strategic plan and union agreement signed were two major goals for fire chief Dale McLean, who is stepping down from his position at the end of the month to spend more time with family in Edmonton.

The local union’s president, Kris Krutop, says the new contract will help improve service.

“[This] collective agreement is the result of considerable effort by both parties to improve our service,” he says in the release. “We are excited that we now have increased opportunities for growth, particularly in our dispatch and training divisions.”

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