La Verne and its firefighters association have settled a dispute over pay for firefighters who become paramedics, agreeing to approximately $37,862 in compensation for three employees without resolving their differing interpretations of the labor contract.

For residents, the agreement means additional payroll costs and a defined pay process as the City expects to send two firefighters to paramedic training in early 2027. It resolves compensation claims for a negotiated period and establishes temporary rules for future trainees, while leaving long-term pay terms for upcoming labor negotiations.

The City Council voted 5-0 on Oct. 19 to approve a side letter, an agreement supplementing the existing labor contract. Neither side conceded its interpretation of that contract.

Why the Pay was Disputed

The disagreement centered on whether becoming a firefighter-paramedic should trigger a roughly 5% promotional raise or placement at the same salary step in the higher-paid paramedic classification.

According to City Manager Ken Domer’s April 14 grievance denial letter, the December 2022 labor agreement established separate salary schedules for firefighters and firefighter-paramedics, with paramedic pay benchmarked to 15% of the highest firefighter salary step.

The City treated the move into the paramedic classification as a promotion governed by the contract’s promotional pay rules. Two firefighters promoted in April 2025 and a third promoted in early 2026 were placed at steps providing approximately 5% increases, according to city records.

In the denial letter, Domer wrote that the association sought application of the historical paramedic compensation structure, which would provide a larger increase.

Association President Conner Nobbs said in an email that the grievance arose in February 2026.

City staff said concerns first surfaced around the third week of February, and meetings began in March. At an April 9 meeting, association representatives said they were formally filing a grievance.

Domer denied the grievance April 14. The association appealed to the council April 19, and discussions continued, according to city staff.

Nobbs said formal settlement discussions began in early September, shortly after he became association president in late August.

What the Settlement Covers

The approximately $37,862 reflects adjustments beginning with the Jan. 11 pay period for two employees and the Jan. 25 pay period for the third, calculated through the Oct. 3 pay period.

City staff said the calculation includes overtime and applicable pay tied to salary, such as education pay. It also accounts for one employee’s June 14 promotion to fire engineer-paramedic.

The settlement covers a negotiated period rather than all the back pay requested, according to the City’s explanation.

City staff did not provide a single dollar figure for the ongoing annual cost. They described the difference between the disputed placements as roughly two salary steps, or 10%, but said actual costs vary with individual compensation and annual merit increases. The two firefighters promoted in 2025 had already approached the higher pay level through those increases.

“While reaching this resolution took time, the Association is pleased that an agreement has been achieved and that both parties can move forward,” the association said in a statement emailed to La Verne Daily News.

What Changes for Future Trainees

Under the interim agreement, eligible firefighters who complete city-sponsored paramedic training and obtain the required credentials will enter the firefighter-paramedic classification at their corresponding salary step.

The fire chief retains authority over whether to send firefighters to training, how many to select and when training occurs.

City staff said paramedic school lasts about six months, depending on the program, with tuition estimated at $4,000 per employee.

Participating firefighters would temporarily move to a paid, 40-hour workweek while attending school. Their regular assignments would be covered by relief firefighters or firefighters working overtime, city staff said. If relief personnel are covering another absence, additional overtime would be required.

The interim rules apply to firefighters selected and sent to training after the agreement takes effect and before replacement compensation terms become effective. Long-term paramedic pay remains subject to negotiations for the next labor agreement.