OCFD Reaches new collective bargaining agreement with town

Ocean City, MD- The Ocean City Fire Department’s local union (IAFF 4269) have managed to reach a historic collective bargaining agreement with the leadership of the resort town.

IAFF officials approached Ocean City officials in September of 2022 citing issues of unanticipated inflation and other issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Mayor and town council agreed to sit down with the union in order to discuss wages, pension rates, and other benefits for the department.

City Manager Tom McGean, IAFF President Ryan Whittington, and a team of Ocean City Firefighters were able to sit down and negotiate a new contract for the department which would extend the currently existing contract until June of 2027 with some amendments.

The changes will increase pay for Fire Marshall employees in addition to provide contributions to their pension plans while also extending health care benefits for retiree’s from the department.

IAFF President Ryan Whittington spoke to us about the negotiations saying: “This new agreement was done in an unprecedented way. Myself, the city manager, and a group of fire fighters sat down and had deep discussions about issues facing Ocean City as a whole and our public safety. We saw a level of cooperation and groups working together that we have never seen in the past…”

One issue that was not directly addressed in the new agreement however is that of staffing. However Whittington believes that with the increases to pay and benefits, it will cause the positions in the department to be more competitive in comparison with other departments across the country, allowing them to recruit and retain talent.