Updated: Thu Aug. 26 2010 17:21:12

ctvcalgary.ca

Calgary firefighters have been awarded a hefty raise in their new contract.

Under an arbitrated agreement, firefighters will receive a nearly 11 per cent salary hike.

They will get a roughly six per cent increase retroactive to 2009 and another five percent for 2010.

The president of the firefighters' association calls the agreement fair and reasonable. Mark Faires says the contract brings Calgary closer to what firefighters earn in Edmonton.

An arbitrator was brought in to settle the contract after the firefighters' association and the city failed to reach a collective bargaining agreement and mediated talks broke down in May.

This new contract will expire in just four months.