The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to give a 2% pay increase to the city's firefighters next summer, along with increases in taxpayer support for healthcare and dental benefits.
The unanimous vote provided one of the few bright spots for Mayor Eric Garcetti and the council in its labor negotiations, as talks with other employee unions have deteriorated.
The contract with United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 is expected to cost the city an additional $13.5 million in the fiscal year starting July 2015, when a 2% salary hike takes effect. But the cost could grow depending on the outcome of salary negotiations with the Police Protective League, which represents rank-and-file police officers.
If LAPD officers receive raises or increased health benefits between now and June 2016, firefighters will be provided the same increases, according to the terms of the two-year contract. That provision is designed to ensure that there is parity in salaries and benefits between the agencies, said Frank Lima, the firefighter union president.
Firefighters received the latest pay boost because they were earning 2% less than police in comparable positions. "All we wanted to do was just come up and be equal with them, not more," said Lima, adding: "If they get a 1% raise, then we get it as well."
L.A. firefighters currently have an annual starting salary of $59,382, while captains in the department have a starting pay of $107,824, according to city budget officials. Neither figure includes bonuses that are provided for various levels of expertise and experience.
Contracts with most of the city's unions expired last summer. Since then, managers have filed unfair labor practices complaints against several civilian city unions. Meanwhile, the Police Protective League contends it is at an impasse with Garcetti and council members. One police union leader called a recent city salary offer "insulting."
Garcetti said the contract with firefighters is "responsible" and "respects the bravery of our firefighters and the budget realities we face." Councilman Paul Krekorian, who heads the council's budget committee, praised the union for taking a "practical, problem-solving approach" to the contract talks.
"This is an example of how the city can work together with its labor partners in order to ensure public safety, to ensure fair treatment of our employees, and to ensure fiscal responsibility at the same time," Krekorian said.
As part of the agreement, the city's health insurance subsidy will grow 5% in July 2015, to $1,227. The city's monthly dental subsidy of $74.16 will be increased twice — 2.5% this year and 2.6% next year.
david.zahniser@latimes.com
emily.alpert@latimes.com
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