By the Associated Press
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - After nearly two years of negotiations, Brownsville firefighters and city
officials Monday tentatively agreed to a contract worth almost $1.8 million over three years.
City commissioners will vote Tuesday on the agreement that would give firefighters an
across-the-board 15 percent pay raise and also allow for base pay increases according to rank and
longevity. Members of the Brownsville Firefighters Association will vote Oct. 6. Parties began
negotiations in March 2002.
Lead negotiators expressed optimism that majorities on both sides would back the contract, The
Brownsville Herald reported in its Tuesday editions.
Ric Navarro, a Harlingen lawyer hired by the city of Brownsville to negotiate the contract, said he felt
good about the prospects of city commissioners approving the deal. BFA President Marco Longoria
said he expects a majority of firefighters to approve the plan.
Bargaining was slowed because of city officials' initial sticker shock over the more than $2 million price
tag. A city election that added new officials to the process also contributed to the slowdown.
Under the new plan, the city will only cover 10 percent of firefighters' medical insurance, as it does with
other city employees. With the old plan, firefighters' insurance was fully covered.
The BFA includes 179 firefighters and Emergency Medical Service operators.
