Rocky View County (RVC) and the local firefighters’ union will have to wait two to six months before getting a final decision on a new contract agreement following a five-day arbitration.
Negotiations between RVC and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union concluded on Feb. 28, and acting county manager Ted Gard believes they must prepare for what is to come.
“We can’t stand still while the arbitrator decides,” Gard said in a March 6 media release. “No matter what comes out of the process, we know there will be increases facing the county. We need to develop plans to mitigate the negative impacts of a new union contract.”
The county has indicated that its cost for fire services has increase over the past five years, becoming more difficult to manage.
“Rocky View County residents are already spending about 20 per cent more per capita on fire services than Calgary residents,” said RVC reeve Rolly Ashdown, “even before the union contract. We’re committed to providing quality fire services, but at some point we have to draw the line.”
RVC currently spends an average of $6.77 million per year on fire services for the county. The five years previous 2008, that number was $2 million.
Canada’s 2011 Census revealed that RVC had a population of 36,461, a near 10 per cent increase from the 33,173 in 2006.
IAFF president for RVC, Jeff Cragg, previously said he and the union were optimistic the arbitration process would yield a standard collective agreement for the county’s firefighters.
“I know everyone on council is very concerned about the financial impacts of this union contract on our operations,” said Ashdown. “We need to have all the options available to us so that we can make the best possible decision when the arbitrator’s report is released.”
Ashdown added that the last thing council wants to do is raise taxes on residents until other options are explored.
