Amherst Fire Fighters Local 1764

Affiliated with:
International Association of Fire Fighters AFL-CIO Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts

December 30, 2013 FOR IMMEDITE RELEASE The members of Amherst Fire Fighters Local 1764 IAFF are pleased to announce ratification of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the union membership and the Town of Amherst. A three year agreement, it encompasses the time period of July 2013 through June 2016. A safer community, properly staffed fire engines, available ambulances, firefighter safety, and adequate service to our citizens were the main goals of the members of Local 1764 throughout the bargaining process. Within this new agreement, during the college academic school year, it calls for the town to increase the on-duty staffing philosophy from a seven firefighter minimum to an eight firefighter minimum. Firefighters will receive a 6% cost of living increase over the three years of the agreement. Though, unlike the other bargaining units in town, firefighters deferred 1% for the first six months of year one of the agreement. This deferral has direct correlation with the firefighters desire to see an increase in on-duty staffing, a step that has been needed for years. In addition the agreement includes the adoption of a Drug and Alcohol policy in accord with other fire labor unions in the Commonwealth, a wage adjustment for the Fire Prevention Division, and other minor adjustments. Union President Stephen P. Gaughan states, This is a fair and equitable agreement for the members of Local 1764, and the Town of Amherst. We appreciate the collective small step the town has taken toward improved staffing. Within this agreement, the firefighters deferred wage increases to see a better service for the citizens. While this will provide one more firefighter on duty nine months out of the year, it does nothing to improve staffing and service to the citizens of Amherst who live in town the remaining three months. Improving staffing those three remaining months need to be a future goal for the citizens of Amherst. We appreciate the recent efforts of the Town Manager John Musante, and the University of Massachusetts, to cooperatively find ways to improve the number of on-duty firefighters. It is our hope that in time, the Amherst Fire Department will increase its staffing to bring us in accord with what is nationally accepted as adequate staffing. While this negotiating process did require the involvement of the Joint Labor Management Committee, Local 1764 recognizes the efforts of Town Manager John Musante stepping in to bring this agreement to completion.

For Clarification or Comment Please Contact: Local 1764 IAFF at (413) 626-4955

Stephen P Gaughan, President, Amherst Fire Fighters

PO Box 1234 Amherst, Massachusetts 01004-1234