The City of Lloydminster has approved a new collective agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5182.
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The agreement between the two parties spans Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2024, following the expiration of the previous contract on Dec. 31, 2021. Collective bargaining began in 2021, with the parties meeting nine times before applying for mediation. A two-day mediation session in September 2023 was unsuccessful.
The bargaining committee continued to negotiate and met five more times after mediation but was unable to reach a resolution. The matter moved to interest arbitration in 2025 and the arbitrator issued a decision on June 8.
The three-year agreement includes retroactive annual wage increases: three per cent for 2022, three per cent for 2023 and 3.15 per cent for 2024. Additionally, the captain index increased from 120 per cent to 121 per cent effective June 8. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was also added as a paid holiday effective this year, alongside a one per cent bump to employer RRSP contributions, effective June 8.
The retroactive pay will cost the city $530,000, an expense administration says it has anticipated.
“We’ve been planning for this because we were in negotiations for the last number of years,” explained chief of staff Marie Pretty. “So, annually, there was money set aside in reserves. In the future, we’ll bring back an RFD for council for the full amount of reserves and any future budget impacts.”
Administration was also asked if negotiations have begun on the next contract.
“We’ve not had our first meeting yet, but we will be starting negotiations effective Jan. 1, 2025 onward,” she said.
Pretty explained their goal is to avoid arbitration in future negotiations.
“Our intent going into negotiations again this time is to settle that at the table,” she said, noting they hope to have a collective agreement in place as soon as possible after the previous one expires.
Council approved the collective agreement between the city and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5182. Administration will bring forward a budget adjustment reflecting the outcome of the negotiations at a future date.
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