Union Contracts Approved for County Firefighters and Sheriff Deputies.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Volusia County Council approved collective bargaining agreements, during yesterday’s regularly scheduled council meeting, with both public safety unions that represent the County Firefighters and the Sheriff’s Deputies.

Both agreements with the unions will call for employees to receive the same three percent raise that the rest of the County’s employees will be getting this fiscal year.

For Firefighters who’ve been working for the county since at least Sept. 20, 2019, the raise will be retroactive to last fiscal year when the previous contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) expired.

There are a few changes in the new firefighters’ such as leave time for professional development and training. The new agreement also transitions firefighters from a three-week pay cycle to a two-week pay cycle consistent with other county employees.

For the Sheriff’s Office, the Council approved a memorandum of agreement that extends the terms of the previous contract with the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO to Jan. 4, 2021.

The agreement provides a 3% pay raise for the current fiscal year for covered employees – deputies from the rank of sergeant and below.

Under Amendment 10, the sheriff will become a constitutional officer on Jan. 5, 2021. As such, the Sheriff will assume responsibility for approving union bargaining agreements that cover the Sheriff’s Office employees.

“I think it was through communication and cooperation that we put together a good contract that will form a foundation for a higher quality level of service that we can provide to our citizens,” said the union president, Justin Hughes.