While negotiations are in the early stages, the El Paso firefighters’ proposed collective bargaining agreement would cost the city – and taxpayers – about $66 million over the contract’s four-year term if approved without changes.
In a proposal put forth April 7 by the El Paso Association of Firefighters Local 51, the union requested 12 increases for wages, compensation and incentive pay, including five new benefits. City leaders during an April 17 meeting with the union countered with a proposal that would have a financial impact of about $38 million.
The final agreement would set a compensation package for El Paso uniformed firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians starting in the next fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1. The majority of the union’s more than 900 members must vote to approve the final agreement with the city, and the City Council would also vote whether to approve the contract. If the parties cannot come to an agreement, negotiations go into mediation or proposals to voters. The current agreement expires Aug. 31.
The Fire Department budget is $166 million – an increase of $9.5 million over last year, driven largely by salaries and benefits, according to the city’s 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Deputy City Manager Mario D’Agostino and Jay Nicholson, union president, declined to comment because the negotiations are ongoing. Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Robert Cortinas also declined to comment on the negotiations. There was minimal debate during the public meeting where the proposals were reviewed by both sides.
City leaders hope to come to an agreement before the City Council adopts next year’s budget in August. A preliminary budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year will be presented to council in July.
The El Paso Fire Department was founded in 1882 as a volunteer fire brigade. The department now has 1,145 uniformed employees, 36 fire stations and 141 fire engines, according to the city’s 2025 annual financial report. In 2025, the department responded to about 104,000 service calls, including medical emergencies.
The department anticipates one firefighter trainee academy and six public safety communications trainee academies this year. There are 53 traineesin the academy and 200 applicants for the 2026 class. The city has budgeted $2 million for public safety academies including police, fire and 911 communicators, city documents show.
The next fire collective bargaining agreement meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 1, when the fire union will also present overtime requests.
SEE ALSO: El Paso County commissioners review Sheriff’s Office overtime spending for jails
The initial fire collective bargaining agreement proposal introduced this month has several requests for increased benefits including wages and compensation and incentive pay. Here is the breakdown for the financial impact of each of the requests.
By the numbers: El Paso fire contract negotiations
Wages, compensation: About $51 million from fiscal years 2027 through 2030
- A 7.5% annual pay increase upon signing their employment agreement or completing the training academy. The current pay raise scale is 3% annually.
- Longevity pay increase of $10 a month per year of service not to exceed $250 a month. The current longevity pay is $5 a month not to exceed $125 a month.
- Increase pay for working out of class – taking extra responsibilities and duties above their rank – from 5% to 10%.
Incentive pay: About $14 million from fiscal years 2027 through 2030
- Field training officers pay at 5% above normal pay while assigned to a probationary firefighter for the full 12-month term of probation.
- Bilingual pay of $500 per year once a city administered language test is passed.
- Medical mentor pay of 5% above normal salary while training and mentoring an EMT-Basic or EMT Paramedic for three months maximum. Demand is expected to grow with the Fire Department will have civilian to paramedic training academies, which result in certifications for a firefighter, paramedic and EMT.
- Communications assignment pay of a 5% pay increase above normal pay for uniform personnel when they are assigned to work shifts at the 911 Communications Center.
- Flight medics and critical care paramedics incentive pay for a total of 10% while working on a ground critical care transport unit that offer more advanced treatment capabilities, and 15% for while working as a paramedic on a Fire Shock, Trauma, Air, Rescue or FireSTAR helicopter transport unit equipped with advanced medical equipment.
The city’s counter-proposal: About $38 million from fiscal years 2027 through 2030
- Cost of living adjustment, or COLA, increase of 2% each year.
- Increase entry salary for firefighters by 5%, fire suppression technician would combine steps 2 and 3; battalion chiefs, deputy chief and assistant chiefs would move up to step 8 pay grade.
- Add a new step 11 to provide a 5% increase for firefighter, fire suppression technician, battalion chief, deputy chief and assistant chief.
- Flight medical paramedics assignment pay of 5% while working as a paramedic on a FireSTAR.
The latest agreement included 12% pay raises over the term of the four-year agreement, and added paid holidays and vacation slots, while the 2018 agreement included 11% pay increases over the four-year period. The 2015 agreement, which was decided by voters, included 3% annual pay raises.
The El Paso Municipal Police Officers’ Association collective bargaining agreement will expire in August 2027. A schedule for negotiations has not yet been set for the police union agreement, but any changes would likely be effective for the Sept. 1, 2028, fiscal year.
The negotiations come as the city projects expenses will exceed revenues over the next five years, with the largest budget increases coming from public safety.
A financial forecast presented to the City Council in February shows city expenses increasing by $146.5 million over the next five years – with about 61% of that increase due to pay and benefit increases for police and fire department personnel under the current collective bargaining agreements.
The city is also building new facilities under the $413 million 2019 Public Safety Bond program approved by voters, including a mega public safety complex for police and fire. Many of the projects have grown in cost since the bond was approved by voters.
The new facilities now under design or construction will require additional staff and operating costs.
The council last fall adopted a $1.3 billion overall budget, including a general fund budget of about $624 million. Of the general fund, more than half is for police and fire protection – the primary service of municipal governments.
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