Auburn council to vote on new 3-year contract with firefighters

AUBURN — The City Council on Thursday will vote on a new three-year contract with the Auburn firefighters' union that includes annual pay raises and increases the employees' share of health insurance premiums.

The proposed agreement, a product of negotiations that began in January, would give firefighters 3% annual wage increases. It also updates the eight-step salary schedule for firefighters, with salaries ranging from $50,648 at the beginning of their careers to $90,041 in year seven.

Amid Auburn's ongoing fiscal challenges, City Manager Jenny Haines wrote in a memo that savings would be achieved by reducing total staffing and minimum staffing levels.

Under the current contract, which expired at the end of June, the minimum staffing for the Auburn Fire Department is 71 firefighters, including 68 on the line — 52 firefighters, 12 lieutenants and four captains.

The new contract would set minimum staffing at 65, including 46 firefighters, 12 lieutenants and four captains.

Firefighters would also contribute more to their health insurance premiums. The employee share would increase by 1.25% a year, beginning with 16.25% on July 1, 2026. It will increase to 17.5% on July 1, 2027, and 18.75% on July 1, 2028.

Haines noted the new contract removes the incentive for preferred provider organization, or PPO, plan. She expects that, along with the increased employee contributions, will generate more savings for the city.

The new contract includes the same language that City Councilor Craig Diego argued would prevent the city from laying off firefighters. The provision states, "Positions will not be left vacant, nor abolished due to economic or budgetary constraints; provided, however, the Association recognizes that the City can delay hiring to coincide with the next available recruit firefighter training program at the NYS Fire Academy or other certified NYS Fire Academy when a position is vacated."

The contract, if approved by the council and Auburn Professional Firefighters Local 1446, would run through June 2029.

The City Council will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at Memorial City Hall.

© 2026 The Citizen, Auburn, N.Y.. Visit www.auburnpub.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.