The local firefighters union's bitter collective bargaining negotiations are now in the hands of the Tallahassee City Commission after the union did not fully accept the special judge's recommendation for the contract for captains and battalion chiefs.

The Tallahassee Fire Department partially rejected the city council's recommendation for a collective bargaining agreement for just over 30 employees. In particular, it rejected the recommendation not to make retroactive payments and to reduce pension insurance contributions less than for other employees.

But the collective bargaining unit, which includes firefighters, lieutenants and engineers who make up nearly 90 percent of the Tallahassee Fire Department, voted to accept the remaining recommendations and they will be implemented immediately.

The union is now demanding that city councilors address the issues the firefighters opposed. They should discuss “what salary increases they consider fair and how long these increases should be paid,” the union said in a press release.

“Most of our members do not have much confidence in the current commission. They have not been very supportive of us in the many hearings before the commission,” said union president Joey Davis.

The relationship between the fire department and the city is tense, which underscores the deep rift in the city hall.

City Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter have been open about supporting a pay raise for firefighters, and the union is supporting Porter in the 2024 election.

City Councilors Dianne Williams-Cox and Curtis Richardson, as well as Mayor John Dailey, who form the majority voting bloc, were all endorsed by the police union.

More: Tallahassee firefighters criticize city leadership and resign over pay raise and contract dispute

“It may be a bit of a stretch, but we want them to have the final say,” Davis said. The commission can come to any decision it wants, he said, and it will then be presented to voting union members, who will decide whether to accept or reject the commission's decision.

If the union accepts, negotiations for the one-year contract will be complete, Davis said.

If they reject the proposal, the Commission can enforce its decision, whether or not the firefighters agree, and then the next negotiations on a three-year contract can begin, which have already started.

Breaking and trending news reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee City Commission votes on firefighter salary negotiations