A five-year contract that sets work rules, wages and benefits for Anchorage firefighters until 2013 passed the Assembly in a 7-4 vote Wednesday night.

The fire contract was the second public safety pact approved in two days. It drew a fraction of the audience and one vote more support than another five-year contract for Anchorage police approved the night before.

Only two people spoke at a public hearing before the fire contract vote, both in favor. One of them was union president Tom Wescott, a captain at station 5 in Spenard.

After listening to several Assembly members and a number of worried taxpayers fret Tuesday night about the duration of the public safety contracts, Wescott -- as police union officials had before him -- tried to reassure members that his union would be willing to renegotiate if times get tough and the city needs help shrinking its payroll.

Both the police and fire contracts provide 3 percent wage increases next year, with increases of between 2.9 percent and 4.5 percent the next four years. The latter increases will be calculated using five-year inflation averages.

An analysis by the city's internal auditor shows the fire contract adds a five-year total of about $22.7 million to the fire department payroll at the lower range of pay increases. At the high, 4.5 percent end, the overall additional wage cost would be about $29.7 million.

As did police, Wescott said firefighters had accepted a city request that they give up a "premier" health plan that cost the city more and join the less expensive plan that covers other city employees. That change saves the city about $224,000 the first year, along with subsequent savings through the life of the contract.

East Anchorage Assemblyman Mike Gutierrez, who voted for both contracts, said failing to pass the contract would cost the city more in the long run. Firefighters in several comparable West Coast cities make higher salaries than Anchorage firefighters in similar positions, city officials said in response to questions from Gutierrez.

A firefighter in San Jose, Calif., for example, makes $32.56 an hour for the same sort of services provided by an Anchorage firefighter at $22.34 an hour, city officials said. In SeaTac, the community surrounding Seattle's airport, the pay rate is $26.61.

City labor laws require binding arbitration when contract talks with police and firefighters reach an impasse, because those unions aren't allowed to strike. Under that kind of arbitration, the city has to accept the arbitrator's ruling.

Gutierrez asked what happened the last time stalled contract talks went to arbitration. That was with the police union, labor relations director Lisa Arnold said. Of 108 points in contention, the city lost on 103.

Midtown Assemblyman Dan Coffey, an eventual no vote on the fire contract, pressed Wescott. What if national and global economic woes get to the point that the city is in deflation, not inflation? In such a case, the contract requires the city to pay a minimum 2.9 percent increase even if Anchorage's cost of living is going down.

Would the union be willing to put that in writing? Coffey asked.

Wescott said he couldn't speak for all the union's 370-some members on the spur of the moment. Six months ago, the price of oil was $140 a barrel and the economic outlook for Alaska and the nation was a lot brighter, he said.

But, he said, "whatever does happen, we'll be there" and willing to help make ends meet. City unions did exactly that in 2004, when the city faced a $30 million budget shortfall and both police and firefighters agreed to forgo scheduled increases.

The verbal reassurance wasn't enough for Coffey, who said there are a lot of things in the fire contract he likes. "But five years with a minimum 2.9 percent each year -- that's very troublesome, guys."

Harriet Drummond of Spenard and West Anchorage and the Assembly's new vice chair, suggested Coffey and other naysayers looked too much on the potential downside.

Instead of doubt and uncertainty in the years ahead, Drummond said she sees reason for optimism.

The incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama will foster "a new New Deal" with a generous economic stimulus package that is likely to benefit Alaska as well as the rest of the country, she said.

"Wringing our hands about the future ... is not only short-sighted, it's disingenuous," Drummond said.

Joining Drummond and Gutierrez in voting for the fire contract were Assembly members Elvi Gray-Jackson, Sheila Selkregg, Debbie Ossiander, Patrick Flynn and chairman Matt Claman.

Contact Don Hunter at dhunter@adn.com or 257-4349.

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