Wage increase approved for West Kelowna firefighters

WEST KELOWNA – West Kelowna firefighters' wages and property tax bills with both get a bit of a bump over the next few years following the approval of a new collective agreement.

West Kelowna council has ratified the new collective agreement between the International Association of Firefighters Local 4457 and the District of West Kelowna. It includes a 2.5 per cent increase annually beginning retroactively to 2013, when the contract last expired, and runs through 2019, according to a media release from the district.

A tax increase of roughly 0.2 per cent is expected as a result of the contract and will be included in the 2015 Fiscal Plan. The plan will be reviewed before final adoption in April.

The contract covers the 28 firefighters and two fire prevention personnel with West Kelowna Fire Rescue. Both parties negotiated for a longer-term contract and salary increases without having to take negotiations to arbitration.

The district says the contract brings West Kelowna Fire Rescue 'roughly' into parity with other B.C. fire departments.

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