Aurora city leaders recently approved a two-year contract with its firefighters union, which netted a pay raise of approximately 3% for 2024.
Under the terms of the contract, the city’s 19 full-time firefighters/paramedics will earn from $79,767 to $91,074 in 2024, depending on their classification. The contract also provides Aurora firefighters with a 3% pay raise for 2025, bringing their annual salaries to $82,160 to $93,806 in 2025.
Hourly pay rates will increase by 3% plus a single penny, the 2024 range being $28.94 to $33.05; and the 2025 range being $29.81 to $34.04, depending on classification.
Uniform allowances were increased to $1,550 in 2024 and to $1,700 in 2025, with first-year cadets receiving a $1,500 uniform allowance. The current contract stipulates uniform allowances of $1,400. Paramedics received a stipend increase of $2,250, up from $2,100 allotted in the current contract.
The contract’s timing places all of Aurora’s unions on the same timetable for negotiations, which is a significant step, Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.