Firefighters look to Tallahassee City Commission to weigh in on contract negotiations

The local firefighter union's acrimonious contract negotiations are now in the hands of the Tallahassee City Commission after the union didn't accept the special magistrate's recommendation in full for the contract covering captains and battalion chiefs.

The Tallahassee Professional Firefighters partially rejected the magistrate's recommendation for a contract that covers just over 30 employees, specifically the recommendation for no retroactive pay and for a pension contribution reduction less than that of other employees.

But the rank and file bargaining unit that includes firefighters, lieutenants and engineers — which makes up almost 90% of the Tallahassee Fire Department's force — voted to accept the rest of the recommendations, and it will be implemented immediately.

The union now wants city commissioners to address the items firefighters were opposed to and discuss what "raises they feel are fair, and how long those raises should be paid," according to a news release from the labor union.

"Most of our members do not have a lot of faith in the current commission, given that many times we've gone before the commission, they have not been very supportive," said Joey Davis, president of the union.

Relations between the firefighters and the city have been tense, underscoring the deep rift in City Hall.

City Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter have been outspoken in their support of increasing the firefighters' pay, and the union is endorsing Porter in the 2024 election.

City Commissioners Dianne Williams-Cox and Curtis Richardson and Mayor John Dailey, who make up the majority voting bloc, all have been backed by the police union.

More: Tallahassee firefighters blast city leaders, step down over pay raise, contract dispute

"It may be a little bit of a stretch, but we want them to have the last say," Davis said. The commission can come to whatever decision they want, he said, and then that will go before the voting members of the union to decide whether to accept or reject the commission's decision.

If the union accepts, the negotiations for the one-year contract are done, Davis said.

If they reject it, the commission gets to impose their decision regardless if the firefighters approve, and they'll move on to their next negotiations, which have already begun, for a three-year contract.

Breaking & trending news reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com . Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Firefighters look to Tallahassee City Commission to weigh in on contract negotiations