The presentation portion of binding arbitration has concluded but there is still a lot of ground to cover as the arbitrator makes a decision.

 

The waiting game is on when it comes to the firefighter's contract negotiations in Moose Jaw.

The presentation portion of the binding arbitration between the city and the firefighters association has wrapped up with City Manager Gary McKay telling us wage increases are the biggest problem when it comes to the negotiations. "The city had put forward three percent for 2005, two and a half percent for 2006 and two and a half percent for 2007. The association put forward for 2005 it should be 5 and a half percent, 2006 should be seven and a half percent, and 2007 should be seven percent."

The board is now reviewing the presentations and will render a decision in about 2 months.

Taking a look at some of the salaries at the fire hall as of 2004, the year the association's last contract ended, a probationary firefighter earns about 31 thousand dollars a year, a 5th year firefighter makes 53 thousand a year, while a platoon commander earns 69 thousand a year.