LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) Las Cruces city officials have settled on a new contract with firefighters that will mean salary bumps. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that city councilors unanimously approved a new contract with the firefighters' union that includes three pay raises.
Officials say the contract calls for an immediate wage increase of 2 percent. Salaries would then go up another 2 percent next month followed by a 2.5 percent increase in July 2015. Union president Michael Landavazo says the 121 fire department employees are satisfied and the raises will help maintain staffing levels.
The contract does not cover civilian staff, battalion chiefs, two deputy chiefs and the fire chief. City managers say the last raise was in May 2012.
