Lakeland city commission to vote on pay raise for firefighters

LAKELAND, Fla. – Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer — but it’s also a time to honor the workers who keep the country running, and the unions that support them.

Firefighters in the Lakeland Fire Department could soon see a pay raise as a result of union negotiations. The city of Lakeland and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4173 (IAFF) have tentatively agreed on a new three-year contract after months of negotiations.

 Lakeland Fire Chief Doug Riley said the contract includes pay adjustments for department personnel ranging from 9% to 17%. An agreement so strong, he said, firefighters voted unanimously in favor of it.

“This is the first time in my career that I’ve seen something like this be voted at 100%,” Riley said. “That really makes me feel good as a fire chief, and I feel like the city and the IAFF — we all did the right thing for the firefighters.”

Now all that’s left is a final vote from the Lakeland City Commission. Riley said he’s confident it will pass because the contract offers the kind of pay and benefits that can compete in today’s job market.

“What we want here … we want an atmosphere where they love to come and work, they love what they’re doing, they’re being fairly compensated for what they’re doing, and we’re trying to make sure they don’t have any reason to leave us to go elsewhere,” he said.

City commissioners plan to vote on the three-year contract Tuesday, Sept. 2. If approved, it would take effect Oct. 1.