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Detroit Reaches Contract Deal With Firefighters; Wage Increase Includes $2,900 Bonus

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit has reached a tentative agreement with the Detroit Fire Fighters Association that includes a 15 percent pay raise over five years and training to improve medical care at the scenes of emergencies.

According to the tentative agreement, firefighters would get a 7.5 percent raise up front and a 2.5 percent increase in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The agreement also calls for a one-time bonus of $2,900 in July 2015, as well as a $300 bonus this December.

Firefighters would also be trained to perform medical first responder work to more quickly provide initial medical care until EMS units arrive.

Union President Jeff Pegg said the pay raise and benefit improvements came following a joint effort that "identified savings" in the city's budget.

Mayor Mike Duggan says both sides "came together to make sure our firefighters are treated fairly."

The agreement is subject to union ratification.

News of the agreement follows word this week that the Detroit Police Officers Association and the city finalized a five-year contract.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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