Mayor Announces Contract Agreement with Fire Union

Alexandria, La. (August 10, 2021) — Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall, along with representatives of City of Alexandria Local 540 Fire Fighters Association Union, announced an agreement has been reached between the City and the union on a new contract Tuesday morning. The contract has been approved by the union members and now goes to the Alexandria City Council for final approval.

“One of my top priorities has been to improve the pay and benefits of our first responders in the fire and police departments,” Hall said. “This new agreement includes pay increases that will not only make the Alexandria Fire Department competitive with other firefighting agencies in the state, but when combined with the other benefits and provisions will make the Alexandria Fire Department one of the most desirable fire departments to work for in the state. This agreement allows us to have a pay and benefits package that matches the high standard of performance of our Alexandria fire fighters.”

City of Alexandria Local 540 Fire Fighters Association Union President Shane Saizan added, “This contract is a significant step forward for the men and women of the Alexandria Fire Department and I want to offer my personal thanks to Mayor Hall, as well as his staff, for their commitment to working with us to create this agreement. We look forward to continuing to provide the best fire response and protection possible to the citizens of Alexandria.”

Under the terms of the new three-year agreement, base pay for new fire fighters will increase from $24,000 annually to $30,750 with additional base pay increases each year, with the entry level rising to $32,000 in the final year of the contract. “Fire fighters of all ranks will see increases,” Hall said. “I think the smallest increase will be 4 percent while some will see increases of more than 20 percent. And we improved the benefits package, adding money for college education and other incentives.”

Hall explained he has been working with representatives from the fire union for several months. “I want the residents of Alexandria to know that just like the negotiations with the police union, there was never any animosity or negativity between the administration and the union leadership,” Hall said. “The meetings we had with Shane Saizan and other union representatives were always professional and cordial. From the beginning and throughout the process, both the city and the union leaders made it clear they were committed to working together to achieve the best possible outcome. This agreement is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when people work together to do what is right, and I commend everyone involved in this process for making that happen.”

Alexandria Fire Chief Larry King noted this is the first active contract or base pay raise for the fire department since 2008. “This is significant to the men and women of our department. Our firefighters come to work every day to protect the citizens and visitors to this city. This contract signing and pay increase makes them feel appreciated for the job they carry out every day,” King said.

“I would like to thank the Mayor and the administrative staff that has worked on this pay raise for weeks on end,” King added. “From the beginning, the Mayor has said he believed firefighters work very hard protecting our community and deserve a pay raise that the city can afford. You (Mayor Hall) took the salary survey and met or exceeded what it said needed to happen to be competitive. Thank you for believing in the Alexandria Fire Department.”

ATTACHMENTS:
Photo AFD_CONTRACT1: Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall (left) shakes hands with City of Alexandria Local 540 Fire Fighters Association Union representative Shane Saizan Tuesday morning. The Mayor and union announced that they have reached an agreement on a new contract that will provide the first increase in base pay since 2008.

Photo AFD_CONTRACT 2: Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall (right) visits with firefighters Tuesday morning following a press conference announcing a new contract with the City of Alexandria Local 540 Fire Fighters Association Union. The new contract includes the first increase in base pay for fire fighters since 2008.

Contact:
Jim Smilie
Communications
318.449.5038 (Work)
318.730.1683 (Cell)
jim.smilie@cityofalex.com