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Union willing to cut raises to avoid layoffs

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By Richard Wilson, Staff Writer 8:14 PM Sunday, May 17, 2009

HAMILTON — With public safety jobs at stake, the city firefighters’ union has proposed to forego raises next year, and a police union proposal may soon follow.

The city clerk’s office sent out notice late Friday, May 15, that City Council would meet for an open special session Monday night, May 18, to consider possible changes to the city’s contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 20.

In order to avoid layoffs, Hamilton firefighters have offered to forego 3 percent raises in 2010 and give up a confined space rescue team, saving the city more than $420,000 by the end of next year, said Union President Eric Abney.

In exchange, the contract would be extended to 2012, with wages being reconsidered in 2011, Abney said.

Following its own negotiations last week, the police union is formulating an offer for the city to consider, said Brian Robinson, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38.

That proposal could also include foregoing raises, but because of scheduling conflicts, the next meeting between the city and police won’t happen until the week of Memorial Day, Robinson said.

Members of both unions would have to vote on the changes before they are implemented.

These developments come after a majority of City Council agreed with the administration’s recommendation for across-the-board cuts of every general fund department to trim overall expenses by $3 million.

The firefighters’ proposal would account for about half of the cuts requested of the fire department. If the proposal is accepted by council, the rest of the cuts from the fire department may be shifted to impact another department.

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