Columbus, firefighters OK new contract, 17.5% raise [Video]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus City Council approved a collective bargaining agreement between the city and the union representing Columbus firefighters, Local #67 of the International Association of Firefighters.

The contract outlines wages, hours, and other terms of employment. Some highlights include 17.5% raises across the board over the next three years.

Negotiations on the deal ended in September 2023, but then conversations continued until they went to a third party to help resolve disputes in the negotiations.

Columbus hit by cybersecurity ‘incident’

Previously, both sides said they were satisfied with the deal that was reached.

“We’re one of the busiest fire EMS agencies in the country,” President of Columbus Firefighters Union Steve Stein said during a June Columbus City Council meeting. “The growth of this city we’re seeing everywhere, that growth is also turning in our call volume as well, which means the demands on our firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. We’re going to need to …