St. Joseph firefighters in line for salary increases under new working agreement with City

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City officials and the local firefighters union have negotiated a new $200,000 contract to raise firefighter pay by 4% in 2026, including future raises in 2027 and 2028. 

City councilmembers will hear an ordinance for first reading Monday to renegotiate a new fire department contract with the International Association of Firefighters, Local #77, a $200,000 agreement that would modify the current pay plan for employees within the fire bargaining unit, covering firefighters, drivers/engineers and captains. 

If approved by City Council, all department employees will receive a 4% increase in pay retroactive to July 1, 2025, for fiscal year 2026. The contract includes additional raises of 3% in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

The agreement also includes longevity raises to increase salaries above the base salary for every five years of continuous service a member has completed for the department:

5 years of service: 5% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

10 years of service: 10% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

15 years of service: 15% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

20 years of service: 20% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments. 

The agreement also updates EMT compensation by converting certified EMT pay from a lump-sum payment to an hourly rate through an adjustment to base pay prior to the application of longevity, and revises out-of-title compensation. 

The contract comes after a year with numerous meetings and negotiations between union and city officials to come to an agreement, which includes a wide range of operational changes.

A final vote on the new agreement by City Council will likely take place on Jan. 19 following Monday's first reading.