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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 20, 2006 Firefighters union, city agree on contract By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune After 10 months at odds over a labor contract, the Medford firefighters union and city management have reached an agreement. "The firefighters are happy with the agreement," said Lance Gray, president of the local firefighters union board. The Medford City Council is scheduled to vote on the 2005-08 labor agreement between the city and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1431 during its noon meeting today in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. Firefighters have been working without a contract since June 30. The agreement would provide a 6 percent wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2005, then a 4 percent increase in July 2006 and another 4 percent increase in July 2007. Advertisement The overall cost for the first two years is essentially as budgeted for the fire department, according to city staff reports. The union had been asking for a 7.5 percent pay increase, said Gray. He said the 6 percent increase means Medford firefighters still rank at the lower end of the pay scale among comparable departments statewide. The agreement also includes the city putting a $1,200 cap on health insurance premiums, said Gray. Coverage beyond that amount would come out of the firefighters' pockets. Gray said the firefighters shop around for the best insurance carrier. "The city firefighters still have control over who we select," he said. The City Council also is scheduled to consider an appeal of approval of plans for two hotel buildings . The three-story Marriott hotels, approved by the Site Planning Commission on March 17, was appealed April 7 by Greg Hathaway, the Portland attorney representing Wal-Mart. The hotels are planned on Center Drive across from a proposed Supercenter site. A hearing is planned at 7 p.m. today in the Council Chambers. Hathaway could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The Medford city attorney's office has said Wal-Mart's appeal is a strategic move that allows it the right to object should the council require a traffic study for the Supercenter. Wal-Mart could argue that if it is required to do a traffic study, then Marriott should be, too. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement