The city notified IAFF on July 7, 2023, of its request to enter into negotiations for the current MOU expiring June 30, 2024, as required by the MOU. A combined budget briefing with all associations was held on August 9, 2023, to begin the process prior to IAFF meeting with City Council on September 7, 2023. Two executive sessions were held on September 21 and September 26, 2023, and formal negotiation meetings commenced on October 4, 2023, with a tentative agreement made on November 16, 2023. All articles in the MOU were open to negotiations. The city and IAFF were able to reach agreement on a two (2) year MOU that will be in effect from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. The agreement does not include any areas to be reopened during the term. The Meet and Confer ordinance was amended in October 2018 and allows for the MOU to continue from year to year after the initial term above ends absent notice by either party of its desire to amend or modify the agreement through Meet and Confer. Substantive changes to the MOU include:
- Fund ongoing merit increases of up to 5% for both FY 24/25 and FY 25/26 for all eligible firefighters, fire engineers, and fire captains covered under the MOU.
- The compensation market position will remain at 3rd Market with the removal of retirement health savings contributions in the total cash compensation methodology as a measure for market increases during the term of the MOU.
- Effective with the August 2024 market adjustment, ranges for all classifications will be established based on the maximum of the range with 5% between adjustments. Alignment within the ranges will be made with the August 2024 survey.
- Effective July 1, 2024, the uniform allowance will increase to $1,000 per year per firefighter, fire engineer, and fire captain.
- Effective January 1, 2024 (prior to the MOU term), the following vacation accrual increases based on a 40-hour schedule occurred:
- 0-5 years of service increase from 4.7 hours per pay period to 5.0 hours per pay period
- 5-10 years of service increase from 5.6 hours per pay period to 5.9 hours per pay period
- 10-15 years of service increase from 6.5 hours per pay period to 6.6 hours per pay period
- The maximum vacation accrual cap based on a 40-hour schedule will increase from 240 hours to 320 hours per year with the 2024 accruals.
- Effective the first full pay period of July 2024, any firefighter, fire engineer, or fire captain who has ten (10) years or more of service with the City of Chandler will receive a one-time contribution into their Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP) account in the amount of $10,000.
- Effective the first full pay period of July 2025, any firefighter, fire engineer, or fire captain who has ten (10) years or more of service with the City of Chandler who did not receive a contribution in 2024 will receive a one-time contribution into their Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP) account in the amount of $10,000.
- Effective July 1, 2025, the following contributions will be made to a firefighter, fire engineer, or fire captain’s PEHP account at the time of retirement based on years of service with the City of Chandler:
Years of Service |
Contribution Amount x Years of Service |
Sick Leave Contribution |
5-19 |
$900 |
50% |
20-24 |
$1,500 |
50% |
25+ |
$1,750 |
50% |
- Effective July 1, 2024, any firefighter, fire engineer, or fire captain whose regularly scheduled shift begins on the actual date of a holiday listed in the MOU shall receive compensation at one and one-half (1.5) times their rate of pay for each hour worked through the holiday shift.
Additionally, language pertaining to longevity was updated throughout the agreement. |