City and firefighters dispute facts as labor talks remain unresolved

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Negotiations between the City of Cape Girardeau and the local firefighter’s union remain ongoing as city officials and union leaders continue to dispute pay structure, staffing levels, scheduling practices and long-term cost controls.

City leaders released a public update outlining changes and investments made since 2022, noting that personnel costs account for 72% of the city’s general fund budget, with 62% dedicated to public safety, including police and fire services. City officials said the figures reflect a priority on public safety and competitive compensation.

According to the city, pay increases have been implemented across multiple fire department ranks, with starting pay increases ranging from 35% to 59% since fiscal year 2022. The city also cited additional investments, including cancer screenings at no cost to employees, expanded health insurance coverage with the city absorbing premium increases, enhanced retirement benefits through top-tier LAGERS enrollment, new training officer positions and the addition of three firefighter positions to reduce overtime and improve work-life balance.

Mayor Stacy Kinder said the city has negotiated in good faith and remains focused on financial sustainability.

City officials said key areas of disagreement remain, particularly regarding overtime policies, scheduling flexibility, staffing minimums and proposed benefits that city leaders say could significantly increase costs. According to the city, fire department expenditures exceeded budgeted amounts by more than $2 million between 2021 and 2025, largely due to overtime.

The city argues that certain union proposals — including changes to overtime eligibility, leave stacking, expanded staffing requirements and retiree health benefits — could create open-ended costs that would limit funding for other services such as police, public works, parks and airport operations.

In response, Cape Girardeau Firefighters Local 1084 President Andrew Juden issued a lengthy statement disputing the city’s claims, saying the public update omits important context and misrepresents several union requests. Juden said overtime increases were driven by staffing shortages rather than misuse, and he disputed assertions regarding automatic overtime, leave policies and trade-time practices.

Juden also said the union is not seeking annual salary negotiations or unlimited benefits, and emphasized the need for preventive mental health care, annual cancer screenings and staffing levels that ensure firefighter and public safety.

“This is not about politics,” Juden said. “It’s about transparency, accountability and ensuring firefighters have the support they need to serve this community safely.”

Union leaders said firefighters have been working without a contract for more than three years and called for city decision-makers to participate directly in negotiations. The union maintains its proposals are financially responsible and necessary to address safety, staffing and quality-of-life concerns.

City officials said negotiations with IAFF Local 1084 will continue, emphasizing the goal of reaching an agreement that is fair, equitable across departments and financially sustainable.