The City of Owen Sound received an arbitrator's decision on February 6, 2015, in regard to the collective agreement between the City and the Owen Sound Professional Fire Fighters Association.

The decision covers the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014.

A number of important issues are still to be resolved, including staff complement, promotions and seniority.

However, the decision did award salary increases which total 10.7% over the three year term of the Collective Agreement. A First Class Fire Fighter will be paid $89,252 as of December 31, 2014.

The City's employer nominee on the Arbitration Board indicated, "This award increases salaries by 10.7% over the three year term of the Collective Agreement, and it is considerably more than salary increases received by other City employees and by most of the taxpayers of Owen Sound who will be required to fund these increases".

The City remains very concerned that the arbitration system continues to not provide appropriate weight to the ability of municipalities to pay for wage increases in light of the individual fiscal and the economic situation of each municipality.

This decision will have a very significant impact on the city's fiscal situation, and into the future. Once again the City urges the Province to fix a system which is clearly broken.
Source - CIty of Owen Sound