New Deal Gives Oswego Firefighters 3% and 9% Raises Each Year Until 2016

Oswego firefighters have signed their second contract with the (non-elected) fire district board who is supposed to represent the taxpayers. The new contract is for four years. This board is the only taxing board that is not elected and controls a budget of 18 million dollars with a payroll of 7.3 million for approximately 60 employees.  Keep in mind; the Oswego police have a total budget of approximately 8 million. Here are some of the cost factors to the taxpayers.  Firefighters will receive a 3% raise EACH YEAR for the next four years.  The 40 hour employees covered under this four year contract will receive an additional 6% raise on top of the 3% equaling a 9% pay raise EACH YEAR for the next four years. Wonder how many in the private sector are getting 9% pay raises each year? So a forty hour Captain who makes $90,361 with his 3% raise this year will make $95,782 including the additional 6% raise. The second year $104,403. Year three $113,799. Year four $124,041.That is a $33,680. pay raise over the next four years. Here are more cost factors to the taxpayers:

                Education Incentive Pay: Associates degree $500 yearly and Bachelor’s degree $1000 yearly

                Longevity Incentive Pay: 15 years $1000. 20 years $1500. 25 years $2500. Yearly

                Special Operations/TRT: $1000 yearly

                Holidays: 9 total, 3 more than last contract. Time and a half pay for 8 of the 24 hour shifts.

                Floating Holidays (paid days off): 3 days year one, 4 days year two. 5 days year three, and 5 days for year four.

                Paid sick leave: 12 hours per month that can accumulate up to 1,440 hours (60) paid days

                V.E.B.A.: 48 hours of pay if no sick days used in a year.

                Uniforms: paid for by taxpayers with a $150.00 bonus for any other purchases.

                 Personal Fire Gear: paid for by taxpayers.

                Drug and Alcohol testing: Only if the district deems it is appropriate. No random testing

                Life Insurance Policy: $25,000 with no cost factor to employees

                Disability Insurance: long and short term no cost to employees.

                Paid Vacation Days:

This is their only their second contract.  The non-elected trustees keep giving away taxpayers dollars, what do you suppose the next contract will bring to the taxpayers.  They are out of control and we need to stand up and put a stop to this insanity.  The board of trustees are hand picked to represent the taxpayers.  When you go to the website they are wearing fire management uniforms. Who do they represent the taxpayers or the firefighters?  People are already losing their homes because of the tax increases in this town and county.  How many 36% increases should the taxpayers be responsible for?  Let’s not forget million dollar a year cost factor to the taxpayers to pay for these new pensions that are now provided to the Oswego firefighters.  Remember the trustees allowed them to go from a 401 plan to a taxpayer funded pension plan.  Who does that?  It is time to really take this matter more serious and take a stand.  Reach out to your local politicians and show them this information.