“Major Victory” for Philly Firefighters in Latest Ruling

A judge has ordered the City of Philadelphia to make a lump sum payment to the firefighters union’s health and welfare fund as well as increase its monthly contribution.

This is the latest ruling in an on-going arbitration dispute between Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration and Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters and Paramedics. Union spokesman, Frank Keel, called it a major victory.

“The ruling was a shot in the arm for the weary firefighters in the City of Philadelphia. It reaffirms our belief that the judge knows that the arbitration ruling was fair and that it should be a wake-up call to end the impasse and give these brave men and women what they deserve,” Keel told NBC10.com.

Common Pleas Court Judge Idee Fox ordered the city to put a lump sum payment of $6.7 million into the union’s healthcare fund and to increase its monthly contribution from $1,270 per employee to $1,619 per employee -- an addition of $349.

"The judge's ruling will allow us to continue to provide critically important health care coverage for our members, as the city continues to challenge the award in the courts,” said union president Joe Schulle in a statement Wednesday.

During the four-year arbitration fight union officials say the health and welfare fund balance decreased from $28 million in 2009 to less than $2 million in 2013. Union officials say that without Wednesday's ruling the fund had a 30 to 60-day window before it ran out of money.

The firefighters have worked without a contract since 2009.

Mayor Nutter's spokesperson, Mark McDonald told NBC10.com that the city will evaluate the ruling.

“The administration is reviewing it to see what the fiscal implications of it are and we expect to have a decision in the time frame allowed,” said McDonald. “The mayor is committed to fair contracts for city employees and to the taxpayers who must foot the bill. We have a responsibility to the taxpayers and controlling costs.”

Another hearing is schedule in September to begin negotiations on their next four-year contract, according to Keel.

 

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