ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County firefighters in the union have been working without a pay raise for more than two years, as contract negotiations drag on between their union and Orange County leaders. Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners could end the stalemate by taking a final vote on what the disputed terms of the contract will be through October 2027.
Union leaders say they represent 1,300 fire fighters, commanders and other workers who they claim have been working without a pay raise since October 2023. Union leaders say they need better pay and health benefits, while county leaders insist their compensation offer is fair.
Firefighters are training at Orange County’s state-of-the-art training center in east Orange County to respond to almost any emergency residents might call them for. Chris Ritchie is President of the Orange County Firefighters Association, the union that represents them. Ritchie says many firefighters are taking that great training to other departments…