Fire Board and IAFF Local 3987 Agree to Working Contract
A the regularly scheduled board meeting Tuesday, December 20, 2022; the Osage Beach Fire Board and IAFF Local 3987 Lake Area Firefighters of Osage Beach have agreed to a multi year working contract.
The contract includes a new pay scale with an average of a 14% pay increase for current firefighters and brings the starting wage for new firefighters up to $15 an hour. This new pay scale also ensures that we do not put ourselves in a similar position where our starting wage does not keep up with the economic climate.
Also included in the contract is disability coverage for our firefighters in the event one gets hurt and cannot return to work for a length of time. And most importantly the fire district now participates in a critical illness pool that would help our firefighters should they be diagnosed with a disease such as cancer. This is very important as our job increases our likelihood of contracting cancer by 14% or more.
We appreciate the great working relationship we continue to maintain with Local 3987 and look forward to the years to come. We could not have provided any of this to our firefighters if it were not for the support of our voters in August who approved our ballot issue. We are grateful for our residents support of their firefighters.
Congrats to all parties involved and again thank you to our residents. We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season.
None of this could have been possible if it were not for the voters in August. On August 2nd, 2022 voters of the Osage Beach Fire Protection District voted to approve a 1/2 cent sales tax to be collected by the Osage Beach Fire District. This sales tax makes Osage Beach Fire District the first fire district in the Lake Area to utilize the tourism this area receives as a means of funding. Traditionally, fire districts utilize property tax which is only paid by property owners of the fire district. The Lake Area sees millions of visitors every year and make up a large portion of 911 calls during the peak season. With an expected increase of visitors and business flocking to the area the future looks bright for Osage Beach Fire District and its residents.
“Our Family, Protecting Your Family, Because We Care”