Santa Monica : Firefighters’ Contract OKd

The City Council approved a two-year contract with city firefighters last week that calls for a 5% pay increase this fiscal year and raise of between 4% and 8% next fiscal year.

The approval ended six months of negotiations between the city and the Santa Monica Firefighters Assn. The agreement is essentially a compromise package that also includes bonuses for physical fitness and a ban on the hiring of firefighters who smoke.

The first year raise is retroactive to July 1. The 5% increase raises starting pay from to $2,983 from $2,841 per month, and top salaries to $3,683 from $3,508.