1912 Fire fighters organized for a campaign to establish a two-platoon system.

• Cost $1,700 and added 151 additional personnel.
• Total strength of 514.
• Fourth city in the U.S. to have a two-platoon system.

1917 John Buck, a former teamster on strike, gave $10 out of his own pocket for a charter and organized the original City Fire Fighters Union No. 15462.

• Administration officials opposed the Union move by threatening dismissal for any fire fighter who joined.  But the ranks were filled with ex-Teamsters, refused to concede, and continued to function.
• V.C. Webster was installed as president.

1918 the IAFF was organized and the City Fire Fighters Union No. 15462 became the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, Local 27 as 1 of 218 charter locals.

1918 average fire fighter earned $0.29 per hour and worked 84 hours per week.

1943 average fire fighter earned $0.50 per hour and worked 70 hours per week.

1946 Local 27 led a campaign that resulted in reducing the 70 hour work week to a 48-hour schedule, adding over 200 fire fighters to the ranks and a $15 per month salary increase.  Fire fighters worked six days a week, rotating between three 8-hour shifts.

1949 a revised 10-hour day shift with a 14-hour night shift was acquired.

1978 average fire fighter earned $2.00 per hour and worked 56 hours per week.

1980 present day 24 hour - four platoon system was negotiated successfully.

1983 the chief's union, Local 2898, was organized.

1992 average fire fighter earned $13 per hour and worked 50 hours per week.

2002 average fire fighter earned $17.40 per hour and worked 50 hours per week.

2006 Local 27 signed a contract that includes:  top-step Seattle fire fighter earns $28.61 per hour and works a 46 hour week, four person staffing, increase in pensionable wage, ability to self insure medical, and allowance of one back-to-back work per month.