City Council has committed funding for three collective bargaining agreements with unions representing the Alexandria Police and Fire Departments and the city’s administrative and technical employees.
Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the three-year agreements on wages, benefits and work hours, which are now set to go into effect on July 1. The agreements include a reduction from 49 to 46 weekly work hours for AFD personnel, “significant” pay increases for police officers, and structured raises and merit increases for administrative and technical employees.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a statement that the agreements are an investment in public safety and the city’s workforce.
“These agreements demonstrate our commitment to respecting and investing in our workforce and ensure we continue delivering quality services to our residents,” Gaskins said. “I want to thank our union partners and City staff for their collaboration, professionalism, and shared commitment to ensuring that Alexandria remains a competitive and supportive employer.”
Alexandria firefighters and EMS employees will also get phased 1% wages in fiscal years 2027 and 2028, as well as annual merit-based step increases and longevity bonuses, according to the agreement. This second three-year agreement also includes a deferred retirement option plan to allow employees with 25 years of service to retire within three years to calculate their benefits under the department’s pension plan.
Josh Turner, president of the International Association of FireFighters Local 2141, said he was proud of what was accomplished in the agreement.
“Today is a tremendous day for Alexandria Firefighters, Inc., IAFF Local 2141, and for the entire Alexandria community,” Turner said. “This agreement is about building a healthier, safer, and more resilient Alexandria together. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what it means for the community we serve.”
Under the new agreement, in FY 2027, new APD officers will get a 17% raise, sergeants will get a 21% raise and lieutenants will get a 15% raise, with 2% increases in FY 2028 and FY 2029. This second three-year agreement increases salaries by $10.2 million over the next three years for uniformed staff across all pay scales.
The news comes a little more than a month after council ended an impasse over pay disparities between the city and the police department’s union, the Southern States Police Benevolent Association.
“The Alexandria Chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association is proud of the work that we accomplished working with the City of Alexandria in this agreement,” said Damon Minnix, SSPBA Chapter President. “The pay adjustments are an important step forward for the agency, which will make APD competitive for quality officers in the Northern Virginia and DC Metro Area.”
The agreement also includes annual $1,200 longevity bonuses and specialty pay for critical skills and assignments.
This is the first bargaining agreement for Alexandria’s administrative and technical employees, who will get a 3% wage increase in FY 2027, a 2.75% raise in FY 2028 and a 1.5% increase in FY 2029. The agreement includes merit increases and longevity bonuses for employees at the top of their pay scales, as well as policies for overtime, holiday, standby and call-back pay.
Wayne L. Enoch, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 20, said that the contract is a proud accomplishment for his organization.
“We were able to incorporate a variety of concerns that impact the working conditions and compensation for this unit of our members,” Enoch said. “This first contract marks the start of another relationship between our great union and the Alexandria City Government. It will improve the services that residents receive because it gives a voice to the workers that render them.”
