Cleveland Firefighters Agree to 21% Pay Raise in Contract

Cleveland has approved a new three-year contract for firefighters that includes a 12% raise retroactive to April 1, 2025, followed by 3% annual raises in the next three years, totaling a 21% pay increase. This contract aims to address historic pay inequities and recruitment and retention challenges, as the fire department is currently 19 firefighters short of its budgeted staffing of 757. Mayor Justin Bibb emphasized that the pay increases reflect a renewed commitment to public safety and the men and women who serve the city, noting that the city has made similar investments in police and EMS personnel, including a 34% pay increase for police officers since 2022. Fire Chief Anthony Luke and union leader Jake Konys praised the agreement as a partnership that will help improve safety for firefighters and the communities they serve. Bibb also highlighted that these raises come despite federal budget constraints, crediting balanced city budgets for enabling the historic investments in public safety. Additionally, Bibb pointed to a 26% reduction in homicides in Cleveland as a result of a comprehensive approach to crime prevention under his administration, contrasting this with federal policies under President Trump, which he criticized for cuts to public safety resources.