Easton fire contract caps pensions, reduces vacation

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-firefighters-contract-20121024,0,361091.story FROM THE MORNING CALL It's a sign of the times and that the days of 4 percent and 5 percent annual raises are behind us. Easton's firefighters settled for a new four-year contract, agreeing to about a 10 percent raise over the life of the deal — much lower raises than previous contracts — while also giving ground on health care premiums, co-pays, pensions and vacation accrual. Glenn Steckman, city administrator, said the contract reflects Easton's economic reality and gives the city something it can live with. He said the concessions on pensions, where new hires will be eligible for a maximum of 50 percent of pay after 20 years of service, is a big step toward avoiding future pension calamities. The city's pension obligations balloon next year due to underfunded plans. Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said awards given to firefighters by arbitrators over the past 20 years are one of the reasons for the pension plans' distress. The new accord is the first to avoid arbitration in decades, according to Panto.