Philly firefighters win raises in arbitration

An arbitration panel has awarded three years of 3 percent raises to Philadelphia’s firefighters.

The decision comes after about 20 months of legal battles.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that officials estimate the award could cost the city about $66 million over the four years of the contract. The decision also denied the city the right to furlough 2,100 firefighters and medics.

A spokesman for Mayor Michael Nutter said the city is still reviewing the ruling and declined comment. Bill Gault, president of the firefighter’s union, urged the city not to appeal again. He says neither side got everything it wanted.

Contracts with two other municipal unions are still being negotiated.

BC-PA–Daybook, ONE TAKE,432%reldate(2012-07-03T02:00:00   NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST. FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY.   Here is the Pennsylvania Daybook for Tuesday, July 3, 2012.   Please note that listings are subject to change. The daybook will be updated as needed if the organization listing the event provides timely notice.   June 30 – July 4. OCCUPY-NATIONAL GATHERING — Occupy demonstrators are participating in `’Occupy National Gathering” events in Philadelphia, while members of a spinoff group known as The 99 Percent Working Group are holding a `’Continental Congress 2.0″ convention, and tea party activists have also planned Philadelphia events to coincide with the Wednesday, July 4, observance of Independence Day.   Location: Various locations the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 11th and Arch streets, and Independence Mall, Independence National Historical Park, Fifth and Market streets, Philadelphia   10 a.m. – 4 p.m. WYETH’S WORLD-TOURS — Brandywine River Museum opens late painter Andrew Wyeth’s studio for public tours, scheduled to continue through Sunday, Nov. 18.   Note: A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the studio was scheduled to take place on Monday, July 2.   Location: Brandywine River Museum, Hoffman Mill Road off the Baltimore Pike (U.S. Route 1), Chadds Ford   Contacts: Hillary K. Holland, 610-388-8336, 610-306-8267, 610-388-8337 or 610-388-2700   11 a.m. – noon. VEGETARIAN RALLY — Mercy for Animals members express support for vegetarian diets during a demonstration featuring a 10-foot-long balloon decorated to resemble a puppy, placed in an oversized hamburger bun.   Location Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut streets, Philadelphia   Contacts: Phil Letten, 810-599-1278   Julia Orr, 201-797-2448 or 201-788-2591 (cell)   1:30 p.m. GOVERNOR’S SCHEDULE — Gov. Tom Corbett ceremonially signs legislation that permits expert witnesses to testify in criminal trials concerning sexual assault charges.   Location: Highmark Room, Violence Intervention Prevention Program center, Harrisburg YWCA, 1101 Market St., Harrisburg   Contacts: Janet Kelley, 717-783-1116   2 p.m. PHILADELPHIA’S FOURTH — Philadelphia’s annual “Welcome America!” festival began Monday, June 25, and leads up to the Wednesday, July 4, observance of Independence Day, sponsored by the Wawa Inc. convenience store chain.   2 – 5 p.m. Visitors to Independence Mall help paint a mural planned by the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, featuring the musical group The Roots, which was formed in Philadelphia and appears on the talk show `’Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”   8 p.m. Peter Nero and the Philly Pops! orchestra performs a free `’POPS! on Independence” concert at Independence Hall. Note: Please notify contact Heather Murphy before attending to obtain credentials.   Location: Independence Mall, Independence National Historical Park, between Fifth and Sixth streets and Chestnut and Market streets, Philadelphia   Contacts: Heather Murphy, 215-683-2176 or 215-801-9605   Abby Rizen, 610-455-2743 or 267-243-4990 (cell)   Randy Giancaterino, 215-683-2070 or 267-207-5068 (cell)   AP-WF-07-03-12 0207GMT