A deal with city firefighters will provide certainty for the next seven years, say city council members.

Council voted Monday to ratify an agreement that would take the local firefighters, which belong to the International Association of Firefighters Local 2217, into 2021.

Council’s decision follows an earlier vote by the union members to ratify the agreement.

The eight-year deal would see incremental increases of 0.5 to 1.75 per cent anywhere from once or twice a year for fourth-year firefighters who currently make $84,513 annually.

Taking effect retroactively back to Jan. 1, the fourth-year firefighters would see an increase of one per cent as of Jan. 1 followed by a 0.5 per cent increase as of July 1.

In 2015, the fourth-year firefighter would see a raise of one per cent on Jan. 1 and again on July 1, with the same increases again in 2016.

In 2017, pay hikes of one per cent on Jan. 1 would be followed by a 1.5 per cent hike on July 1.

From 2018 to 2020, there would be one increase each year of 1.5 per cent on Jan. 1.

The final year of the agreement – 2021 – would see an increase of 1.75 per cent, also taking effect Jan. 1.

Finally, the department’s captain, platoon chief and fire prevention officer would see increases come into effect on Jan. 1, 2017 with the captain to be paid 118 per cent of the first class (or fourth-year) rate, the platoon chief to be paid 129 per cent of the first class rate and the fire prevention officer to be paid at 127 per cent of the first class rate.

The current agreement with the firefighter’s union expired on Dec. 31.

Rookie firefighters have had a starting wage of $27 per hour under the previous contract. Calculations on the impact for rookie firefighters are still being worked on.

Council members were quick to praise the agreement reached.

As Coun. John Streicker said, it’s rare to get such a lengthy agreement, and with annual increases of about two per cent, or less in some years, it provides more certainty for the annual budgeting process.

The agreement is good for both sides, Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu agreed, pointing out the pay rate remains competitive for firefighters while also providing long-term certainty.

“It’s great to see such a comprehensive agreement,” Coun. Kirk Cameron said.

Coun. Dave Stockdale questioned a portion of the agreement which could allow it to be reopened prior to the 2021 end date, wondering if that could mean the agreement may not be in place as proposed for the full eight years.

As both Brian Crist, the city’s director of infrastructure and operations, and Streicker noted, though, such clauses which allow the collective agreements to be reopened if both sides are agreeable are not uncommon.

The agreement also made note of some outstanding issues, with both sides essentially “agreeing to disagree” as Crist described. As he explained, it’s not uncommon for there to be some outstanding issues in any contract negotiation which each side agrees to set aside in the interest of reaching an agreement.

Council was unanimous in voting in favour of the agreement.

While it has been approved, before they come into effect the changes will now have to be formally integrated into the agreement, which will then come to council again to go through the bylaw approval.

Coun. Mike Gladish was absent from last night’s meeting.