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Toledo Firefighters IAFF Local 92, Fact Finder’s Report
HR Dept-Michael Niedzielski (x2182); Kayla Frasco (x1508)
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Accepting the recommendations set forth in the Fact Finding Report in the matter of the City of Toledo and the Toledo Firefighters, IAFF Local 92; approving the revision of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the parties for a successor agreement, consistent with the bargained understandings; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City of Toledo and the Toledo Firefighters IAFF Local 92 (Local 92) are parties to a collective bargaining agreement that expired on March 31, 2024. Pursuant to the statutory bargaining process under the Ohio Revised Code, the City and Local 92 met multiple times beginning in January 2024 in order to negotiate the terms of successor agreement.
Throughout that time, the parties reached tentative agreements on many contract issues and resolved all open contract sections besides Section 2125.84 “Base Wages.” The tentative agreements reached focus on supporting recruitment and retention of paramedics through an increase to the paramedic differential, an increase to the minimum number of required paramedics, an improved paramedic program, a commitment to staffing rigs for ALS capability, and language which clarifies the paramedic recall process. Further, the agreement provides that Local 92 members who suffer from occupational illness may be eligible for paid leave under the City’s injury pay program, and bolsters other fringe benefits such as paid holidays and funeral pay.
Although the parties were successful in reaching tentative agreements on multiple contract issues, they were unable to reach a full agreement, and so the parties exercised their right, pursuant to O.R.C. §4117.14, to engage in fact finding before a mutually-selected neutral. On April 23 and May 5, 2025, the City and the International Association of Firefighters Local 92 presented evidence and testimony to Fact Finder Michelle Miller-Kotula over one outstanding issue of base wages for the successor collective bargaining agreement. On July 10, 2025, Fact Finder Miller-Kotula issued her report and recommendations, which included acknowledgement and consideration of the above-mentioned tentative agreements. Fact Finder Miller-Kotula recommended the following wage increases: a 6% equity adjustment and a 3% increase back paid to April 1, 2024, a 3% increase in 2025, and a 4% increase in 2026. A copy of the Fact Finder's report is attached and marked as Exhibit A, and a copy of the tentative agreements with Local 92 is attached and marked as Exhibit B.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That this Council accepts the recommendations of Fact Finder Miller-Kotula dated July 9, 2025 and received by the City on July 10, 2025 in the matter of the Fact Finding between the City of Toledo, and the Toledo Firefighters IAFF Local 92, State Employment Relations Board Case No. 2023-MED-1116, attached hereto as Exhibit A.
SECTON 2. That the economic terms of the tentative agreements between the City of Toledo and Local 92, as set forth in Exhibit B and as acknowledged and referenced by Fact Finder Miller-Kotula, are approved.
SECTION 3. That the Mayor and the Department of Human Resources are hereby directed to prepare and present to Council, as soon as practicable after the passage of this Ordinance, legislation to amend the relevant sections of Chapter 2125 of the Toledo Municipal Code to comport with the agreement approved herein.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its adoption. The reason for the emergency lay in the fact that same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that same is necessary to timely exercise Council's rights and responsibilities under Ohio Public Employee Collective Bargaining Agreement law pursuant thereto.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: July 15, 2025, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Julie A. Gibbons Carrie Hartman
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: July 17, 2025
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor