Pasco County officials, firefighter union leaders reach tentative agreement

NEW PORT RICHEY — County officials and firefighter union representatives have signed off on a proposed one-year contract that goes to a union vote early next month.

Negotiations started again after the union in September narrowly rejected a proposed contract for the current fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. That rejected contract contained two major union concessions: no 5 percent pay raises and only four, rather than 10, paid holidays.

The key difference between the new contract and the one that failed? Firefighters would keep all 10 paid holidays, said personnel director Barbara DeSimone. (Unlike other county employees, union members get paid time and a half for every holiday regardless of whether they work.)

If the union ratifies the contract, it would go to commissioners for approval. If the contract fails again, officials may declare an impasse.