August 3rd - Mayor Jim Suttle was pleased with the Omaha Fire Association’s vote to approve a tentative contract agreement with the City of Omaha. "This agreement represents four years of negotiations by firefighters who looked beyond their own interests to do what was best for the City of Omaha," said Mayor Suttle. "The fire department should be commended for voting to bring actuarial balance to the pension system, saving $13.5 million annually from the combined police and fire contract agreements."
"It was not easy for Omaha firefighters to give back benefits agreed to in prior contracts, but they understood that concessions would benefit all Omaha residents," said Steve Kerrigan, Labor Relations Director. "Their vote in favor of the contract demonstrates a willingness to negotiate concessions with city officials and not turn to the Commission of Industrial Relations (CIR) to secure their rights under past agreements which gave more than the city could afford to give."
"This contract is a real solution to a pension shortfall that will continue to grow out of control unless we stop it," said Mayor Suttle. "It allows us to bring ballooning pension costs down and saves millions of dollars every year. I am encouraged that Omaha firefighters voted to ratify the contract, the Personnel Board unanimously approved the agreement and it is my hope that the City Council will also see the financial benefits of voting in favor of this contract."
