Boise Fire Dept. CLA Negotiations - Day 11

This transcript captures the 11th day of contract negotiations between the City of Boise and the Boise Fire Department union, held on July 30, 2026. The discussions focused extensively on two proposed contract packages (Option A and Option B), each representing approximately $16 million in additional investment over a four-year contract period. Key procurement-related topics included wage increases, career ladder restructuring, specialty team pay adjustments, and sick leave provisions. The city presented detailed financial models explaining the cost implications of base wage increases, career development steps, and working out of class pay, emphasizing the complexity of the compensation structure and the cumulative investment over the contract term. The union expressed concerns about maintaining buying power and the importance of career ladder provisions, resisting proposals to convert career ladder funds directly into base wage increases. The meeting concluded with both parties acknowledging progress but recognizing remaining gaps, leading to the initiation of mediation and fact-finding processes to resolve outstanding issues. No final contract was agreed upon during this session, but the parties committed to continuing negotiations with the assistance of a neutral third party mediator.