CENTRE WELLINGTON – Firefighters associations in Fergus and Elora, as well as the Centre Wellington Staff Association, have ratified new agreements with the township.
The contracts, approved at a special council meeting on Nov. 8, include increases to wages, benefits and allowances.
“I am pleased that our human resources management committee was able to produce a fair and equitable agreement with the three staff associations,” Mayor Kelly Linton stated in a press release.
“Our township team is our most valuable resource. Throughout this global pandemic, our employees have demonstrated their hard work, dedication and resilience by continuing to deliver, day in day out, the core services our residents rely on.
“On behalf of township council and the citizens of Centre Wellington, I thank each and every one of them.”
The township staff association reached a three-year agreement that will see a 2.2% wage increase next year, a 1.75% increase in 2023 and a 2% increase in 2024.
“The process of negotiation between the staff association and the management committee has been a fair and positive experience,” said staff association president Mariana Iglesias.
“I am confident this agreement will continue to foster strong relationships between all parties and provides a fair contract that recognizes our employees’ hard work and dedication.”
The Elora Firefighters Association and the Fergus Firefighters Association both signed four-year contracts retroactive to Jan. 1, 2021.
There was no pay increase in 2021 but there will be a 2.2% increase in 2022, 1.75% in 2023 and 2% in 2024.
“Our township and the community value our volunteer firefighters and that has been proven throughout negotiations. Fire services are critical for the health, safety, and security of our entire community,” reads a joint statement from Joe Parkinson, president of the Elora Firefighters Association and David Rutherford, president of the Fergus Firefighters Association.
“We have full respect and appreciation for the process, and we will continue to serve and protect our citizens.”
Human resource manager Rashid Hasan thanked the three associations “for their cooperation and hard work in reaching these agreements.”
He added, “Maintaining a positive workforce while delivering exceptional services to our residents is our priority.”
