Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the 2026-2028 International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Collective Bargaining Agreement
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with the IAFF Firefighters.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with the IAFF Firefighters.
Staff Contact:
Whittney Ramirez, Labor Relations Manager, Human Resources, 360-870-5578
Presenter(s):
None. Consent Calendar Agenda item
Background and Analysis:
In April 2025, the union 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 102 Firefighters/City employees.
During the summer and fall of 2025, the parties bargained over wages, benefits, and working terms and conditions. The parties reached a tentative agreement on October 6, 2025.
The significant new terms of the contract include the following:
• Considered total compensation for a fair and competitive wage and benefit package:
• New compensation paygrade structure (addressed consistency issue)
• 2.7% COLA for 2026
• 100% of CPI-U, min 1% and max of 5% for both 2027 & 2028
• Established new add-on seat pays and logistics pays.
• Increased longevity tiers by 0.5% in 2027 and 0.5% in 2028.
• Established yearly $750 uniform allowance for each Firefighter.
• Increased City’s contribution of Firefighter’s Medical Expense Reimbursement (MERP) Plan from $100 to $150 per month.
• Converted Member peer fitness monthly contribution to % vs flat dollar amount. Increased employer contribution towards peer fitness training and equipment maintenance to $7000 per year.
• Member required premiums for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) will be consistent with the law (previously a fixed rate).
• Updated processes: Eligibility and selection process for specialty assignments, maximum number of approved members per day for vacation and personal day requests, and temporary light duty assignments.
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 $588,000 (salaries and benefits) and included in the adopted 2025 budget.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with the IAFF Firefighters.
2. Do not approve the labor agreement with the IAFF Firefighters as proposed and direct staff as to next steps.
3. Move to approve the labor agreement with IAFF Firefighters as amended by Council and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
Fiscal Impact Statement