Keokuk, IA – Keokuk is offering a wage hike to members of its fire department. The increase isn't as high as what the firefighter's union is asking for. THe city's 3-year offer calls for a 1.5% hike in year 1, 2% in year 2, and 2.5% in year 3. Finance Committee Chair, Doug Matlick, says those figures do not take into account a wage analysis that is currently underway. The firefighters are asking for a $1/hr, each year, for three years. The city's offer also includes a reduced bonus for HAZMAT certification, no shift differential pay, and no increase in longevity pay. Keokuk is also looking to eliminate a benefit that would require the city to pay for health insurance for firefighters meeting certain experience and age requirements. One proposal from the union that the city is in favor of involves Keokuk's responsibilities during a line-of-duty death. Both sides seem to agree that the city should pay its portion of the health costs to a spouse or dependent for 6 months, as opposed to 3 months. All future negotiating sessions can now be done behind closed doors, as the mandatory 2 open exchanges have taken place.
Keokuk Responds To Firefighters' Offer
