The Associated Press via The Lowell Sun
BOSTON — An independent arbitrator has ruled that Boston firefighters should accept random drug and alcohol testing as well as some limits on sick leave in exchange for a 19 percent raise over four years.
Monday’s decision settles a long and bitter contract dispute between Boston firefighters and the city. Officials have been trying to get the union to agree to testing since an August 2007 fire in which two possibly impaired firefighters died.
Boston Mayor Tom Menino says the award — which still must be funded by the city council — will cost $74 million and is 5 percent higher than the pay raises given to workers in other public safety agencies.
The head of the Boston firefighters union says his members are looking forward to putting the dispute behind them and focusing on being the best in the profession.
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