Downey City Council approves new labor agreement with Firemen’s Association

City of Downey photo

DOWNEY — The Downey City Council approved a new four-year labor agreement Tuesday with the Downey Firemen’s Association, finalizing a successor memorandum of understanding that includes salary increases and updated contract provisions for sworn fire personnel.

The agreement, which covers the period from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2029, replaces the previous contract that expired at the end of 2025 and applies to firefighters, fire engineers and fire captains represented by the association. 

Under the approved MOU, firefighters will receive a 4.5 percent pay increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, followed by 4.29 percent increases in each of the next three years. Fire engineers and fire captains will receive a 5.84 percent increase in 2026, followed by 5.56 percent increases in 2027, 2028 and 2029. 

The agreement also adds a 5.5 percent special assignment pay for fire personnel deployed to emergency incidents through the California Fire Assistance Agreement. In addition, beginning in 2028, the city will reduce the maximum medical insurance contribution tied to the Peace Officers Research Association of California premium rate. 

Beyond compensation, the MOU includes several non-economic changes, including updated sick leave language to comply with new state laws, revised tuition reimbursement provisions to allow coverage for coursework required to complete California State Fire Training certifications, and the removal of a prior cap on the number of arson investigators per shift. The agreement also includes a reopener clause that allows the city and the association to discuss potential cost-saving measures during the contract term if needed. 

City officials said negotiations began in September 2025 and concluded in November, with the agreement later ratified by association members. The City Council formally approved the MOU unanimously Tuesday 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Horacio Ortiz absent.

The agreement is expected to result in increased personnel costs of approximately $915,480 in the first year, rising to about $1.02 million in the final year of the contract.