Administration prepares for wage negotiations

City officials and most labor leaders don't want to discuss the upcoming talks.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The city administration and its workers are prepared to open wage negotiations amid a backdrop of fiscal gloom.
Three years ago, the four unions representing city workers won annual pay raises of 3 1/2 percent, 3 1/4 percent and 3 1/2 percent over the life of the three-year contracts, all of which expire at the end of this year.
The settlement was reached before the administration discovered the city didn't have the money it thought it had in its coffers, and the pay increases were awarded before the city was placed under state-imposed fiscal emergency in August 2001.
"We'll meet as soon as we can," said Safety Director Frank Rich, who has been the city's point man in labor relations.
He won't discuss the administration's bargaining position.
For example, he declined to discuss the possibility of asking for a wage freeze.
This year's general fund spending is expected to total $4.4 million, in part because of one-time transfers from other funds.
The state auditor's office has said the city's 2004 general fund will be $3.2 million.
No comment
Some labor leaders likewise don't want to discuss what they expect in the upcoming talks.
Phil Cretella Jr., president of International Association of Firefighters Local 1220, declined to comment.
He would say only that he's waiting for the city to contact him to open talks.
Greg Manente, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 52, which represents patrol officers, will only talk in generalities.
"I'm sure it's not going to be favorable on our part," Manente said, noting police are going to try to hold on to what they have "until we're out of the [negative fiscal] water."
"Our expectations are low," he added.
Cutting spending
Besides the possibility of wage freezes, other attempts by the administration to cut spending could include bonuses paid to police officers if they qualify with their firearms.
Firefighters get the same bonus awarded to police because of an arbitration ruling.
Clothing allowances also are expected to be on the table.
Police Capt. Jeff Palmer, a member of the Ohio Policemen's Benevolent Association, which represents four police captains, thinks the administration will take aim at a wage freeze and changes in health benefits.
The city is self-insured, but employees don't contribute to the costs.
The administration doesn't want to eliminate the city-operated ambulance service because of the possible increase in response time by private companies, but it may look to reduce the number of firefighters who man the ambulance service.
There are those who expect the administration may try to exempt the police captains from union representation, asserting they are managers.
Palmer countered the captains are basically "road officers" as they answer complaints the same as patrol officers.
FOP representation
Rich said the city has been notified by the Ohio State Employment Relations Board that the OPBA has registered enough FOP members to cause a vote to switch unions. No date has been set for balloting.
Rich explained the representation issue could take until March or April to resolve. He added that if a new contract is delayed, the city can't afford police services under the present contract next year.
City Auditor Sam Zirafi said that through September, police and fire department wages and fringe benefits total $2,082,000, or about 63 percent of the general fund.
Manente said patrol officers have not been happy with the FOP representation. "It's time for a change," he said.
One reason for seeking the change is because all the OPBA representatives are attorneys, the FOP president added.
Employees who are not part of the safety forces are represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3356.
Local president Marvin Sweitzer did not return a telephone call to comment.
yovich@vindy.com