RFD and city council contract negotiations reach impasse, fact finding possible next step

REDDING, Calif. — The City of Redding and the Redding firefighters union have been in disagreement over a new contract for over a year.

KRCR talked to the Treasurer of the Redding Firefighters Local 1934 Brett Morris on Sunday about their frustrations with the failed negotiations.

“We’re doing our best to protect and serve the community despite being out of contract which definitely can affect morale," Morris told KRCR.

On Monday, KRCR’s Tyler Van Dyke spoke with Redding City Manager Barry Tippin and he recognized that Redding firefighters don't make the same as they could in similar cities.

"I do believe the firefighters need to be compensated back up to a market level, that amount we calculate to be between 14-16% that has been offered and been rejected," Tippin said.

Tippin explained they had to adjust the first offer due to an economic downturn. "So it's still 26%, but it's a 16% pay increase, which we believe brings them to market, and a 10% one-time bonus next year. And then, we would be back in negotiations after that. That was rejected also," Tippin said. He says that was the city’s last best and final offer, and although both side's representatives have talked since then, they are at an impasse.

"We've had no need to get to the table because we are at an impasse," Tippin told KRCR.

The union said because of that impasse they have seen increased support from the community. The union also said they believe the city doesn't value public safety.

"Clearly, that's not true. For the first time, in the city of Redding's history, we have three firefighters on every engine,” Tippin said.

The union also cited that they have suffered from recruiting and retention issues. Just this morning, they had a firefighter leave the department.

“It’s definitely becoming more and more challenging to recruit and retain, especially when we have, in addition to filling positions that normally come up, when you have years of experience leave you're replacing them with a brand new employee,” Morris said.

Tippin says the city understands those concerns, saying, “Trying to provide them last year with a 26% overall wage increase was a way to try and increase recruitment."

Finally, Tippin mentioned that he thinks the department hurt its own recruitment. "I think it was very harmful that the firefighters, themselves, when out and encouraged their membership to look for other jobs, which also gives a message to potential recruits not to come here."