Title
Possible Approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Incorporated County of Los Alamos and the Los Alamos Firefighters’ Association Local 3279
Recommended Action
I move that the Council approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Incorporated County of Los Alamos and the Los Alamos Firefighters’ Association Local 3279 and direct the County Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the County.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as requested.
Body
Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos Firefighters’ Association Local 3279 (IAFF) entered into negotiations on October 3, 2024, and through a series of mutually agreed upon meetings, came to a tentative agreement on June 3, 2025. The CBA as negotiated and tentatively agreed to, is presented in Attachment A for Council consideration and approval.
The highlights of the CBA include:
1. Four-year term from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.
2. The Bargaining Unit Employees will have a salary structure change effective the first full pay period following ratification and signature of the agreement and through FY2029 as follows:
a. Step Adjustments (Exhibit A in CBA)
b. Changing from the current 25-step plan to 12, 8, 8 step plans
c. Firefighters (FF) will have a maximum of 12 steps with 2.5% increase between each step
d. Driver/Engineers (DE) will have a maximum of 8 steps with 2% increase between each step
e. Captains will have a maximum of 8 steps with 1% increase between each step
f. Years of service within rank will determine step placement within the new step plan.
3. Annual and Longevity increases will now be processed in accordance with the General County timeline.
4. No changes to Longevity amounts or PERA Contributions.
5. Salary structure increase of 2% in FY2027.
6. No salary structure increases for FY2028 and FY2029
The IAFF members of Local 3279 ratified the CBA on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Upon approval of the Council, Labor and County representatives will officially sign the approved CBA.
Alternatives
The alternative is not to approve the negotiated Agreement and direct the County to return to the negotiation table.
The proposed CBA is the result of good-faith negotiations between the County and IAFF. Although the parties could continue to negotiate different terms, the staff believe that approval of this contract is in best interest of the parties.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
The potential fiscal impact of this CBA is an estimated overall increase of 18% over the 4-year term which has been budgeted for and is in accordance with the Cooperative Agreement between the County and the Department of Energy/NNSA.
Attachments
A - IAFF Collective Bargaining Agreement - Final