New contract will see Halifax firefighter salaries brought closer to that of police

By Mark Hodgins

Halifax firefighters have a new collective agreement. 

Regional council voted unanimously on Friday to approve the new five year deal. Halifax Fire had not had a contact since the previous 12 year deal expired in mid-2016.

As with the last contract, this one will tie firefighter salaries to that of a first-class constable of Halifax Regional Police. 

“Within the term of the contract, they'll go from 95 per cent of what a police officer's making up to 97 per cent,” said HRM spokesperson Brendan Elliott. 

An arbitration decision awarded regional police a new contract, which will give police a yearly raise. 

Elliott says work is ongoing to hire more firefighters for the municipality. 

“When the last go-around in front of council happened, regional council asked for 32 additional firefighters,” said Elliott. “So we are working toward that.”

Elliott says a new aerial unit will be brought into service in Dartmouth next year, and will see additional firefighters hired on as well. 

The union representing firefighters has not spoken on the deal, but appear to be happy with the contract. 

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