Deal ratified between the City of Lethbridge and local fire fighters’ union

Lethbridge fire truck (File) (CTV News Lethbridge)

The city and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Union Local 237 have ratified a new deal after the previous one expired in 2020.

The IAFF represents 253 employees who work for the City of Lethbridge.

The agreement covers from 2021 to the end of 2025.

“We’re extremely happy,” said Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services deputy chief in charge of communications and strategy, Kevin McKeown.

“Both sides had met a significant amount of times over the last number of years, and we were able to come to a freely negotiated agreement, which was ratified by city council last evening,”

The biggest change is the creation of an EMS operational division.

Until now paramedics were also required to train as fire fighters.

Paramedics will now have the option to stay in a dedicated EMS unit.

It’s intended to make it easier to recruit more dedicated paramedics to Lethbridge.

“What this EMS division does is allow us to recruit and attract paramedics to our service and allow them the ability to work as paramedics without having to perform and complete their firefighter training right off the bat,” said McKeown.

The deal also covers wage increases to the end of 2025.

Members will see a 16.25 percent increase from over the last five years.

The City of Lethbridge is happy to finally have a deal in place after several years.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen said in a statement that “this is an important agreement because it creates a strong, sustainable future for the people and the systems that support critical emergency services to our community.”

Negotiations between the city and IAFF for the next deal will begin sometime next year.