Streator reaches 3-year agreement with firefighters union

The city of Streator and the city’s firefighters union reached a three-year agreement, increasing firefighters’ pay 2.5% per year retroactive to 2022.

The agreement also establishes a $2,000 annual stipend for firefighters who achieve EMT-B or higher certification. Firefighters assist Advanced Medical Transport on calls that involve life-threatening injuries or illnesses.

Streator Firefighters Union Local 56 President Kurt Snow has said if AMT asks for tax money from the city to subsidize ambulance service, which it did at the city’s Feb. 8 meeting, the firefighters union would like to be involved in talks about possibly providing services to the city through the fire department.

“We’d like an opportunity to present a proposal and give the city a chance to look at all its options,” Snow said.

That item was not part of this agreement, but Streator Mayor Tara Bedei had mentioned at the Feb. 8 meeting, the city will want to get firefighters input as the City Council does its research on how to handle ambulance services moving forward.

The agreement between the city and firefighters union also continues a $1,000 annual stipend for emergency medical response services, which is built into firefighters’ job duties.

The agreement is not set to expire until Dec. 31, 2024.

City also agrees with Laborers International Union

The city reached a three-year agreement with the Laborers International Union representing two full-time police records clerks, a full-time utility billing clerk, and part-time receptionist and accounting clerk, increasing pay by 2.5% per year retroactive to Oct. 1, 2021.