New deal will mean raises for city, BX firefighters

Firefighters in the Bronx and the rest of the city will be getting a raise.The firefighters' union reached a contract agreement with the city, and its members say the deal is one of the best ever. Rookie firefighters will get a raise of more than $10,000 under the deal, bringing salaries from around $25,000 to more than $36,000. Officers will see a pay raise of 8 percent overall under the deal and see more free perks in their health benefits.The agreement was made in March, but wasn't approved by the union until Thursday. More than 56 percent of the union voted in favor of the deal. The union and the city will not have to negotiate another deal until the summer of 2008.