Volusia County approves a three-year bargaining agreement with Beach Safety Union.

Written by Anthony Bicy

Belden Communications News

Volusia County and the union representatives for County beach safety specialists, senior lifeguards, and lifeguard supervisors, have agreed on a new, three-year contract.

According to a release, the Volusia County Council approved an agreement Tuesday with the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO, featuring pay raises and a new retention bonus program for covered employees. Both sides of the bargaining table seemed equally pleased with the new agreement, which employees covered by the union ratified on a vote of 40-3, before bringing the agreement to council.

County Councilmembers approved a similar contract with the Corrections union last month.

“A lot of hard work has gone into reaching this agreement,” Beach Safety Director Andy Ethridge told the council. “In a time when many law enforcement agencies across the nation are struggling to fill their ranks, I am happy to stand here today and tell you that it looks like going into the summer season, all of our full-time positions will be fully staffed. This contract is going to go a long way in helping me maintain that status.”