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City firefighters will get a 17% salary jump, while new hires will start at just $25,100, under a tentative four-year contract announced yesterday.
The city also promised to keep the 60 five-man engine companies that exist - and promised to turn four companies of four firefighters into five-firefighter units, a key victory for the Uniformed Firefighters Association.
Under the agreement, top pay jumps from $54,000 to $63,309, but starting pay dips from $36,000 to $25,100. After 13 weeks in the Fire Academy, the salary increases to $32,700.
The retroactive pact still needs to be ratified. It would cover 8,700 Bravest from June 1, 2002, to July 31, 2006.
In one key deal, city cops and other uniformed workers who become firefighters no longer will be able to come in at their current salaries. They would keep pension benefits but start at rookie pay.
"There's never been any question that these brave men and women deserve a raise," Mayor Bloomberg said at a news conference with UFA President Stephen Cassidy. "The challenge has been finding ways to provide it."
It was another victory for the mayor, who has sealed deals with cops, teachers, sanitation workers and unions representing other city employees in the weeks before the election.
The pacts have included raises and givebacks - and, in some cases, lower starting pay.
Bloomberg and Cassidy have had a contentious relationship. In September, Cassidy vowed the union would never endorse Bloomberg's reelection bid.
But yesterday he refused to rule out backing Bloomberg.
"It seems like he'll be here for another four years," he said.
Tony Sclafani and Lisa L. Colangelo
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