Fire union joins other Jax bargaining groups in approving pension deal

Another day, another big win for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.

The Jacksonville Association of Firefighters overwhelmingly approved the city’s pension offer, which sees raises for current employees and a defined contribution plan for future hires, Wednesday night.

JAFF head Randy Wyse wrote in an email that “the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters have finished voting on the tentative agreement between the COJ and IAFF.  The firefighters approved the agreement 77% for and 23% against.  The chief officers approved 86% for and 14% against.  The contract passes with a majority vote from the Firefighters.”

Curry wrote that “today represents another step toward solving Jacksonville’s pension crisis once and for all in a way that is good for taxpayers, first responders, and the future of our city. I thank IAFF union leadership and membership for working with me and reaching this historic agreement.”

The fire union joins the local Fraternal Order of Police, AFSCME, and LIUNA in approving the deals, which involve raises across the board and the defined contribution plan with a 25 percent city match.

The remaining bits of drama include a Friday meeting of the Police and Fire Pension Fund, which does not have a right to vote on the deal according to the city’s general counsel.

From there, the city council must vote on the deal — and despite the council’s pliant nature to this administration, individual members have began to balk — even on live mikes — about the lack of specificity from the mayor’s office.