Dominick Calsolaro, Common Council, First Ward, Albany, NY

Firefighters' contract OK'd

Council approves pact despite concerns about more costly benefits

By BRIAN NEARING, Staff writer, Times Union

First published: Friday, December 8, 2006

ALBANY -- While some argued the city was being too generous, city lawmakers approved a new four-year firefighters' contract Thursday that gives raises and other benefits to about 260 firefighters.

Deputy Mayor Phil Calderone made a rare appearance before the Common Council vote, accompanied by Budget Director Chris Hearley, to explain the contract's financial impact.

On Monday, lawmakers had refused to vote after getting the proposed contract on a half-hour's notice. The deal was reached after about 18 months of negotiations between the firefighters union and the administration of Mayor Jerry Jennings.

While most lawmakers on Thursday seemed satisfied, Common Council President Pro Tempore Richard Conti was not among them. He did not cast a vote for the four-year contract, opting instead to vote "present." The contract passed by an 11-1 margin, with council member Dominick Calsolaro dissenting.

"We are not a rich city," Calsolaro said, noting he was "not voting against firefighters, but to send a message to the administration that we have to do a better job in controlling our costs."

Under the contract, about 260 members of the Albany Permanent Professional Firefighters Union would receive raises of 3 percent retroactive to Jan. 1, 3 percent in 2007, 3 percent in 2008, 2 percent in January 2009 and 2 percent in July 2009.

Conti said he was troubled by the "discrepancy" between estimates given by Hearley, who said the contract would cost the city about $2.2 million, and City Comptroller Tom Nitido, who told the Times Union that the true cost was more than $7 million.

The difference was that Nitido counted increased costs cumulatively, while Hearley counted year-to-year increases. Conti said he favored Nitido's method as more accurate, noting that is how the state Legislature weighs fiscal impact.

Under a contract provision questioned by Conti and Calsolaro, firefighters with at least eight years of service would no longer contribute toward their health insurance. That benefit currently applies only to union members with 10 or more years in the department.

The contract also includes increases in longevity pay for firefighters with at least 20 years of service and added annual stipends for paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

Using Hearley's figures, the contract will cost city taxpayers an additional $8,400 per firefighter over four years. Using Nitido's calculations, the figure is nearly $27,000 per firefighter.

Calderone said the contract reflects settlements with unionized firefighters in the state. "It is fair to both sides," he said, adding the city "avoided labor unrest."

Union President Sam Fresina was present at the council meeting but did not speak.

Several council members who supported the contract expressed their support and admiration for firefighters.

"Supporting the firefighters doesn't begin and end with this contract," said council Finance Committee Chairman James Sano of the Ninth Ward.

Sano urged his fellow lawmakers to vote for their local firehouse in a national business promotion to provide free computers and other equipment. "I just want to say how much I appreciate the job that the firefighters do," he said.

Brian Nearing can be reached at 454-5094 or by e-mail at bnearing@timesunion.com.