IN YOUR CORNER
 Several volunteers from the Martin County Taxpayer's Association are
 overseeing the contract negotiations between Martin County and the
 International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Thus far, there
 have been several sessions with the union presenting their financial
 "package"on February 27, even though it is not customary to be at this stage in labor negotiations with a contract that does not expire for a full six months

 We reviewed the IAFF proposal and were disturbed by what we perceive is
 happening with the rapid pace of the negotiations. Therefore, we are urging the
 commissioners to deliberate this issue slowly and give MCTA time to
 finish our work and present our concerns. In 2000 when the current
 contract was negotiated, the commissioners at that time gave carte
 blanche to the union. For starters that included, among other things, a reduction of the workweek from 56 to 48 hours and a 6% base wage increase in each of the three years resulting in a compounded three year increase of 37.8%, not including a additional 5% yearly step-wise increase in base wage. The result of these items plus other wage enhancers has been quite a budget increase for
this department over the past few years. Also, for the past three
 years or more, there has been an overtime problem associated with this
 department in that from $700,000 to more than $1 million has been
 spent annually despite pleas from the commission to reduce these > costs.
 At present, several members of management or the commission who will
 effect the final decision have been given information that the Firefighters are underpaid.
 We have seen a table comparing the starting base wage of selected
 fire departments in the south Florida area, which places Martin County
 below its southern counterparts. However, if one uses the same information
 and compiles a different chart, without adjusting any of the data, it
 shows Martin County firefighters near, or only slightly below, the
 top. The conclusion drawn by MCTA is that Martin County Firefighters
 are NOT underpaid. In fact they may be overpaid when one factors in
 cost of living differences between the counties and all the overtime
 and extra-pay adjustments they can receive> We fear that those who are empowered to make decisions regarding
 ratification of the Firefighters' proposal are not being fully
 informed. The firefighter's wages and work schedules (two 24 hour days on duty per week) are the envy of
 many other working taxpayers in Martin County. When compared to other
 jobs requiring equivalent skills and responsibilities, the
 Firefighters clearly come out way on top.

 Both union and management have heard and read in the papers that the
 County expects a decrease in revenue in the coming years. Further,
 the County Administrator is pledged to provide cost-effective county
 services. Despite these facts, the Firefighters have requested what
 amounts to a 13% wage increase each year or a compounded amount of
 42.3% over a three-year period. Their proposal does not represent a
 cost-effective service. Total salary and benefits for this bargaining
 unit amounts to $15,667,000 annually, so each 1% requested by the
 union represents a spending increase of $156,670 for taxpayers. The Commissioners should reject outright the IAFF proposal and direct the County Administrators to formulate a counter-proposal that more reasonably reflects the wage policies and work schedules in effect with other county departments.


 Granting the IAFF proposal certainly would send the wrong message to
 other county and area employees. >
 Let us take the time to gather data and prepare a comprehensive
 recommendation on the firefighter's proposals.