Sault firefighters get new deal

The City of Sault Ste. Marie signed a memorandum of agreement tonight with its firefighters for a three-year contract.

"We negotiated some excellent annual general wage increases with them over that three year deal," said Nicole Ottolino, the city's director of human resources.

Specifically, three per cent, two per cent and two per cent," Ottolino told tonight's meeting of city council.

"There were some definite health and dental package increases and enhancements that were added to this round. Things like uniforms, for example.

"Packages that we were able to revise to provide, hopefully, savings to the organization, as well as some choices for the members involved in selecting uniform items.

"We had some new language put forward - joint health and safety related - in terms of health and wellness around firefighters and different trends in the industry.

"We'll be able to meet with those individuals biannually... to get some ideas around the table about how we can improve that over time.

"We had some good contract language on procedure around class advancements and exams and the timing of that.

"I think it was great to be able to come to a negotiated deal and not have to take something to arbitration. It gives us some labour settlement until the year 2026," Ottolino said.