,Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the 2026-2028 International Association of Fire Fighters - Assistant Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the 2026-2028 International Association of Fire Fighters - Assistant Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing the 2026-2028 International Association of Fire Fighters - Assistant Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Staff Contact:
Whittney Ramirez, Labor Relations Manager, Human Resources, 360.870.5578
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar item
Background and Analysis:
In November 2025, the International Association of Fire Fighters ((IAFF - AC) provided notice to the City of Olympia that it desired to bargain a successor collective bargaining agreement; the existing agreement had an expiration date of December 31, 2025. The collective bargaining agreement covers approximately three Assistant Chiefs/City employees.
During the late months of 2025 and into the first part of 2026, the parties bargained over wages, benefits, and working terms and conditions. The parties reached a tentative agreement on January 7, 2026.
The significant new terms of the contract include the following:
• Duration: 3-year contract (expanded from 2-year contract)
• Considered total compensation for a fair and competitive wage and benefit package:
§ New compensation paygrade structure (2-step structure consistent with IAFF-Firefighter contract)
§ 2.7% COLA for 2026
§ 100% of CPI-U, min 1% and max of 5% for both 2027 & 2028
• Established vacation accrual progression table and increased accrual rates (80% Fire Fighter accruals vs City Policy accruals)
• Increased longevity tiers by 0.5% in 2027 and 0.5% in 2028.
• Established yearly $750 uniform allowance for each Assistant Chief.
• Increased City’s contribution of Assistant Chief’s Medical Expense Reimbursement (MERP) Plan from $100 to $150 per month.
• Converted Member peer fitness monthly contribution to % vs flat dollar amount.
• Member required premiums for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) will be consistent with the law (previously a fixed rate).
• Updated processes: Working out of classification and temporary light duty assignment when determined “not fit for duty.”
Climate Analysis:
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement is not expected to have an impact on climate.
Equity Analysis:
The City of Olympia is committed to considering equity impacts in our bargains with labor. The equity lens used during the bargaining process included determining desirable outcomes, conversations and bargaining with key stakeholders, analyzing classification and compensation data, evaluating information, and reporting back to stakeholders. Evaluation of outcomes will be determined as the new collective bargaining agreement is implemented and administered.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There are no known community interests related to this item.
Financial Impact:
The financial impact for the first year of the collective bargaining agreement is expected to be approximately $55,000 (salaries and benefits) and is included in the adopted 2026 budget.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the 2026-2028 International Association of Fire Fighters - Assistant Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
2. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing the labor agreement with IAFF Assistant Chiefs as amended by the City Council.
3. Do not approve the labor agreement with the IAFF Assistant Chiefs as proposed and direct staff as to next steps.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
Fiscal Impact Statement