Key West Firefighters Hope to Secure Three-Year Contract with Raises, Leave Boosts, and Incentive Pay
Commissioners to vote Nov. 5 on a new labor deal granting firefighters pay hikes, expanded leave benefits, and new certification stipends — with total costs projected around $23 million through 2028.
The City of Key West and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1424 have reached a tentative three-year collective bargaining agreement that delivers steady pay increases, expanded benefits, and new incentive pay for specialized assignments.
The agreement — set to run from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028 — calls for 5% raises in FY 2026, followed by 4% increases in each of the next two years. The deal also boosts paramedic certification pay from 8% to 12% by the end of the term and adds stipends of $50 to $100 per shift for emergency medical or training assignments.
Under the new terms, firefighters will see higher longevity bonuses ($3,000–$3,500), expanded education pay up to 8% of base salary, and added pay for service on specialty teams such as hazmat, dive rescue, and urban search and rescue.
The contract also includes a major leave conversion — multiplying accrued vacation by 1.5 and doubling sick leave balances at ratification — increasing the city’s long-term leave liability exposure. Caps on sick leave payouts rise from 720 to 900 hours, and vacation caps from 240 to 360 hours.
City analysts estimate the total three-year financial impact at roughly $23.1 million, including wages, benefits, overtime, and the one-time leave adjustment. Roughly $7.5 million represents new recurring costs by FY 2028.
City Manager Brian Barroso and union leaders finalized the deal after months of negotiations aimed at retaining skilled personnel amid rising housing and living costs in the Keys. The Key West City Commission is set to vote on ratification at its Nov. 5 meeting.
If approved, the agreement would mark the city’s first major public-safety labor contract since 2022.