Arbitrator Rules in Favor of OKC Firefighters' Raise

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An arbitrator has ruled in favor of giving Oklahoma City firefighters raises, but city officials said they are ready to fight that decision.

The city did make the fire union a settlement offer. Their current offer states, if the city has three consecutive months of increased revenue, they would give the firefighters a .07 percent raise.

Nothing has been agreed to, but the city said its other option is to go to court to fight the arbitrator's decision, a move that will cost taxpayers money.

During negotiations the fire union offered to forgo raises if the city would hire more firefighters, but the offer was rejected because of the city's revenue shortfall.

Oklahoma City Assistant City Manager M.T. Berry said he cannot discuss negotiation specifics, but he did say the city's hands are tied financially.

"I can tell you that if the city is not in a position to give raises to its employees, it is certainly not in a position to add additional employees," Berry said.

While an arbitrator has sided with firefighters in granting the 1.4 percent raise, the incoming fire union president thinks the union and city can come to an agreement outside of court.

"We are willing to continue to negotiate with the city and try to work out something that will fix the staffing issues and solve some of the problems firefighters have in lieu of a raise," said Phil Sipe, incoming fire union president.

Chantel Gilbert's husband is an Oklahoma City firefighter. She said he works 24 hour shifts, but is only paid for 16 hours of his time. She said she just wants her husband and other firefighters to be compensated for their work, but that doesn't necessarily mean in dollars.

"All the firefighters have been asking for this year is safe levels of staffing," Gilbert said. "The city had a chance to provide all of our citizens here in Oklahoma City a greater level of safety, and our firefighters were willing to forgo raises for greater protection of the public."

If an agreement is not made, a motion fighting the arbitrator's decision could be filed as soon as Monday in district court. If a district judge upholds the arbitrator's decision, the 1.4 percent raise would be retroactive to July 1.

More on News9.com: Poll: Do You Think OKC Firefighters Should Get Raises?