Lewiston, ID – After months of negotiations, Lewiston Firefighters Local 1773 has reached an impasse with the City of Lewiston, exposing a disappointing refusal by the City to honor the agreements made during collective bargaining. Despite a mutual commitment to a binding arbitration process, the City is now disregarding that decision — choosing instead to focus on costly discretionary projects while neglecting the needs of its first responders.
The City and Union could not come to an agreement on wages and the city’s demand that the union concede a vital retirement medical benefit. A recent wage study revealed that Lewiston firefighters are paid 12% less than their counterparts in comparable departments. In response, the union and the City agreed that, should negotiations reach an impasse, the matter would be resolved through a neutral third-party arbitration panel with a binding outcome. After careful deliberation, the arbitrators ruled in favor of a 4% wage increase and the preservation of the vital medical retirement benefit for the firefighters.
However, rather than respecting the outcome, the City has opted to disregard the binding decision, demanding that the union give up the hard-earned medical retirement benefit that protects firefighters and their families, forcing the union to seek legal counsel for litigation.
John Thompson, President of Lewiston Firefighters Local 1773, expressed deep frustration:
“We entered negotiations in good faith, with a commitment to follow through on the arbitration process that we all agreed would be binding. It’s disheartening to see the City now walk away from that agreement while continuing to allocate significant funds toward discretionary projects that don’t address the real needs of our community. It’s unfortunate the City is forcing us to go to the extreme of utilizing the court system. “
The timing of the City’s refusal to uphold its commitment is particularly concerning. Lewiston’s Fire Department is already grappling with a staffing crisis, increased call volumes, and starting wages for entry-level reserve firefighters that are less than those offered by many local fast-food chains.
Call volumes have surged nearly 20% over the past few years, and experienced firefighters are leaving for departments that offer better compensation and support.
Prioritizing Public Safety Over Politics
While the City continues to allocate millions toward discretionary projects, it is overlooking its duty to support the firefighters who put their lives on the line for this community. Lewiston Firefighters Local 1773 is calling on the City to refocus its priorities and invest in the public safety infrastructure that directly impacts the well-being of its residents.
A Call for Integrity and Accountability
Local 1773 urges the City of Lewiston to honor its binding arbitration agreement and to recognize the crucial role that firefighters play in keeping the community safe. The current approach is unsustainable — both for our firefighters and for the citizens who depend on them in emergencies. It’s time for the City to demonstrate integrity by standing by its agreements and putting public safety first.