10-04-2013, 11:27 AM
Tampa OKs contracts giving raises to firefighters, city workers
By KEVIN WIATROWSKI
Tribune staff
Published: October 3, 2013
TAMPA — Tampa City Council approved new union contracts with the city workers and firefighters that give both groups annual pay raises over the next three years.
The raises start at 2 percent in the budget year that started Oct. 1. They go up 2.5 percent for 2015 and 3.5 percent in 2016.
Tampa’s 985 unionized police officers will vote on the same package of raises next week. Their contract will go to the city council Oct. 17.
The raises are the first pay increases for many city workers since 2008. Many have continued to get step increases as they’ve advanced through their careers, though police officers lost theirs for a year in 2010.
About 1,800 city staff members, not including managers, are represented by Local 1464 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Union members approved the contract Monday. Firefighters also approved their contract this week.
Union leaders couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
The pay raises were possible in part because rising property values increased the city’s tax revenue by about $7.5 million. Taxes pay the salaries of city workers. Public safety — police and fire — absorbs 63 percent of the city’s $354.4 million general fund.
kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com
(813) 259-7871
Twitter: @kwiatrowskiTBO
By KEVIN WIATROWSKI
Tribune staff
Published: October 3, 2013
TAMPA — Tampa City Council approved new union contracts with the city workers and firefighters that give both groups annual pay raises over the next three years.
The raises start at 2 percent in the budget year that started Oct. 1. They go up 2.5 percent for 2015 and 3.5 percent in 2016.
Tampa’s 985 unionized police officers will vote on the same package of raises next week. Their contract will go to the city council Oct. 17.
The raises are the first pay increases for many city workers since 2008. Many have continued to get step increases as they’ve advanced through their careers, though police officers lost theirs for a year in 2010.
About 1,800 city staff members, not including managers, are represented by Local 1464 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Union members approved the contract Monday. Firefighters also approved their contract this week.
Union leaders couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
The pay raises were possible in part because rising property values increased the city’s tax revenue by about $7.5 million. Taxes pay the salaries of city workers. Public safety — police and fire — absorbs 63 percent of the city’s $354.4 million general fund.
kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com
(813) 259-7871
Twitter: @kwiatrowskiTBO