City, Union members reach deal; New firefighters agreement ready for Council consideration

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - The City of Fort Wayne and the Union leadership representing its firefighters have reached agreement on a new three-year contract, sending the measure to the City Council for final approval.

A letter obtained by ABC21 and distributed to members of IAFF Local 124 indicates that the Executive Board this week endorsed the revised contract, asking that Union members “vote ‘YES’ for the proposal completed November 16, 2021.” That version of the agreement includes modifications to the City’s previous language addressing “Union Time,” while leaving in place financial terms that the Board had already found acceptable.

The letter is signed by Adam Henry with Beers-Mallers, a legal firm representing the Union.

A City representative told ABC21 that the contract will be presented to the Council on Tuesday and likely voted on by that body in December.

“We’re pleased with the result and look forward to its passage in the coming weeks,” he said, reiterating that it is also still subject to a rank-and-file Union vote.

The contract runs through 2024.