LAWRENCE: Council OKs three-year contract for firefighters

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   Township Council has approved a three-year contract with Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association Local 96, which covers the township’s four paid firefighters.
   Under the terms of the contract, the four paid firefighters will not receive salary increases for 2014, but they will receive pay hikes of 1.95 percent in 2015 and 2.25 percent in 2016. The salaries range from $30,000 to $63,723.
   The new contract is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2014 and expires Dec. 31, 2016. It covers the paid firefighters, who work daytime during the week. Fire protection is provided by the three volunteer fire departments at night and on weekends.
   Firefighters who were hired before Jan. 1, 2014 will receive up to $15,000 for unused sick time upon retirement, Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun said. But firefighters hired after Jan. 1 will not receive payment for unused sick time.
   Upon retirement, all firefighters will have to contribute toward their healthcare insurance premiums. They will receive coverage for up to 10 years — depending on their age at retirement, Mr. Krawczun said. Lawrence Township does not provide lifetime healthcare insurance for its retirees.
   Firefighters who were hired before Jan. 1, 2014 will receive longevity pay — but only if they were already receiving it. Those who were hired after Jan. 1, 2014 will not receive longevity pay.
   Longevity pay is extra money paid to employees, based on the number of years that the employee has worked for the township.
   An employee who has worked for Lawrence Township for eight years will receive $800 in longevity pay. At 12 years, longevity pay is $1,100 and at 16 years, it is $1,400.
   An employee who has worked for the township for 20 years will get an extra $1,700, and at 24 years, longevity pay is $2,000.