An overwhelming number of Hillsborough County firefighters voted against a new contract offered by the county after a year of negotiations.
- Pay difference about $10,000 a year less than Tampa firefighters
- Random drug testing procedures also an issue
- Both sides willing to renegotiate
“We only have 950 folks in my membership,” said Capt. Derrik Ryan. “681 voted no and 68 voted yes, so I believe that was sending a message about the morale here at fire rescue.”
Ryan, who is also the union president, said morale inside the department is down because firefighters are not paid fairly, particularly when compared to Tampa firefighters. Ryan estimates Tampa firefighters earn about $10,000 more a year.
Another sticking point is a change to random drug testing procedures for Hillsborough firefighters. Currently, they’re tested in twice a year and are notified prior to the test.
Under this now-rejected contract, they would have been tested randomly with no notification.
“All we ask when the county presented it to us was for management to take the same drug test,” said Ryan. “And we were dumbfounded when they came back and said ‘absolutely not.’ “
Rudy Haidermota, the senior county attorney who served as lead negotiator, pushes back on those claims.
“We notified the union prior to the vote that upper management would also participate in a random drug testing program,” said Haidermota.
Haidermota also said the package offered to the firefighters included a 15.7 percent increase in pay over three years, and was the most competitive contract offer in the region.
“Not only would the salaries be competitive with the city of Tampa, but when you take into account the benefits package that we provide to our folks, it is as competitive, if not more competitive, than the city of Tampa,” he said.
Both Ryan and Haidermota said they are willing to renegotiate, but there is no word on when that is set to begin. Ryan has nine months left on his term as union president, and said he hopes a deal can be reached before his term ends.