The Fairbanks City Council unanimously approved a final collective bargaining agreement with the Fairbanks Firefighters Union on Monday, concluding a two-year negotiation process that had previously gone to arbitration.

The new contract provides a 4% wage increase for suppression personnel and a 5% increase for administrative staff in 2025, retroactive to January 1. All personnel will receive a 4% salary increase in both 2026 and 2027.

Overall, the three-year contract will cost $2.49 million, including $2.07 million in wages and benefits. The contract ends Nov. 30, 2027.

Fairbanks Fire Capt. Zach Rittel, one of the union’s negotiators, described the labor talks as a long process. For nearly 70% of the Fairbanks Fire Department, it will be the first contract they have voted on.

“That’s

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