DERRY — One of Derry's Republican state representatives is calling for the Town Council to not give in to the firefighters in a contract debate that has lasted more than a year.
A sometimes heated debate has ignited since the council rejected a two-year contract in February. The four councilors who voted against the contract have said the current agreement the firefighters work under gives them an unfair amount of vacation time and a more than generous benefits package.
State Rep. Howie Lund told the council Tuesday that nobody in the private sector can expect to receive the benefits the firefighters receive.
The average firefighter brings home more than $80,000 and can earn more than 12 weeks of vacation time each year, Lund said.
"The ambulance service in Derry is excellent and the staff is second to none but we do have a BMW when we can only afford a Chevy," Lund said.
Doug Newell, president of the Alliance for Derry Taxpayers, asked the council to compare salary and benefits of Derry workers to the surrounding communities when negotiating a contract.
Newell also urged both sides to remain civil during negotiations.
Less than a month after the council rejected the contract in February, two councilors accused union members of making threats while picketing outside a meeting. The state attorney general investigated the councilors' claims but was never able to determine who uttered the phrase "Good luck calling 911."
Last month, union President Gary Williams said the town is embarking on a witch hunt if it hires a third party to investigate the department, as requested by Councilor Janet Fairbanks.
Both Lund and Newell praised the firefighters for being dedicated to their jobs but said the council needs to keep the taxpayers in mind when voting on a contract.
Lund questioned whether the department could cut back on the number of firefighters who respond to service calls.
According to the proposed contract that was rejected by the council, firefighters in Derry who chose not to use the town's health insurance would receive $10,720.68 a year for the family plan or $7,941.24 a year for a two-person plan to be used toward obtaining their own insurance.
According to the firefighters' current contract, Derry firefighters with more than 12 years of service earn 312 hours of vacation per year. At 25 years, firefighters receive 504 hours of vacation per year.
