By Terri Bryce Reeves, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
SAFETY HARBOR — City commissioners say this small town, population 17,800, and its firefighters union are like one big happy family.
But like most families, disagreements arise and this time it was about money.
At a packed meeting Monday night, the City Commission conducted an impasse hearing and ultimately sided with management on a disagreement with the firefighters union over how loyalty should be rewarded. The negotiators had already agreed on 36 of 37 contract issues.
The city wants to reward loyal long-term employees with additional time off in lieu of the current longevity pay. The firefighters would prefer the cash.
"Sometimes it's hard for us to get the time off," said negotiating agent John Little, president of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 2267.
Under the union proposal, firefighters would receive between $750 and $1,650 per year ...
