Story posted Thursday, March 4, 2010
'The Right Thing To Do'
Firefighters Union Re-Opens Contract, Village To Save About $165,000
By TIM O'CONNOR Journal & Topics Reporter
The firefighters union has agreed to changes in its contract with the Village of Arlington Hts. — a move that will save the village of about $165,000.
But Local 3105 union president Lt. Bill Kidd said negotiations should have been handled better.
"This direction has jeopardized a great working relationship," he said.
Kidd told the Village Board Monday he was disappointed police and fire pensions were blamed for much of the village's projected budget shortfalls for next year.
"It wasn't all the pensions fault and that's how you made it look," he said.
Kidd pointed out the union had no obligation to reopen the contract but did so because "it was the right thing to do."
The 3.75% raise due to firefighters will now be spread out over the course of the year, instead of one pay jump at the beginning of the fiscal year. Firefighters will get partial raises on May 1, Nov. 1 and Apr. 30, 2011.
The union also agreed to allow three vacant union positions to go unfunded for the year. Any additional vacancies that open up will not be removed from the budget.
In exchange, the village agreed not to lay off any firefighters during the remainder of the contract, which ends on Apr. 30, 2011.
Village Manager Bill Dixon said the union's concessions showed willingness by the union to work with the village.
"I think this is a very reasonable modification to the contract," he said. "It shows a team spirit while looking out for their members."
The $165,000 being saved is a big part of the village's proposed budget, which is aimed at cutting 9.2% over Fiscal Year 2010's budget.
The total budget for next year is $134,725,118.
The proposal includes eliminating 30 positions through lay-offs and vacancies, delaying non-union wage increases for six months, and expenditure cuts and debt service reductions.
Among the programs being axed are the Arlington Hts. Teen Center and "Too Good for Drugs," an anti-drug program utilizing presentations by Arlington Hts. police officers in local schools.
The village board is projecting a deficit of $329,704, down from $8.1 million before cuts were made.
The board will review the proposed budget during the Committee of the Whole meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Mar. 8, followed by meetings on Mar. 9, 11, and 17.
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