All I know about it is what I read in the newspaper, but it appears the new firefighter contract is better than the prior one. Some of the more recent damage to new hires is undone, though it some of it will come out their pockets in other ways. They'll still be behind those with seniority by the wage increases in the last two contracts, however. Moreover, there will be bonuses for pay in tougher jobs, something I agree with. The problem with merit pay is that not all managers will handle discretionary increases correctly in a public sector context, especially in titles where workers must work independently and the quality of their work is hard to judge. But some jobs have inherent merit, and if someone is capable of doing them (or if they are dangerous), compensation should be adjusted accordingly.
It doesn't quite undo this, but it is a step in the right direction. I had been particularly dismayed by the way the NYFD and union had sold out the probies, given that firefighting runs in the family in many cases and that the firefighters had to vote for it. Just like DC37, whose future members will probably vote to fund larger raises by eliminating retiree health insurance someday. I'll serve 'em right.