Firefighters, police review Oklahoma City’s work contract offer
BY JOHN ESTUS
Comments 
8
Published: November 7, 2009
Fire and police union officials are considering a new work contract offer from Oklahoma City that could end a bitter contract dispute between the city and its unions.
The offer, made to both unions Friday by
City Manager Jim Couch, does not include raises for firefighters or police officers, fire union
President Phil Sipe said.
"It was positive,” Sipe said of Friday’s meeting with Couch and city officials. "I told them I’d need a few days to discuss it with the guys and gals on the job.”
Sipe declined to discuss specifics, but said he expects to give the city an answer next week.
City Attorney Kenny Jordan denied a request by
The Oklahoman for a copy of the offer, claiming it could violate labor practices.
The city and
International Association of Firefighters Local 157 have been haggling over the firefighter work contract since this summer, when negotiations stalled and were sent to arbitration.
Firefighters received the 1 percent raise they were seeking in arbitration, but city council members fought that ruling and called an election for Feb. 9 in which voters would decide if firefighters should get a raise.
Other city employees didn’t get raises this year because of major city revenue shortfalls.
Neither the police or fire union have agreed on a work contract for its members for this fiscal year.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123
President Gil Hensley had no comment.
Leave a Comment
News Photo Galleriesview all
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
Man if they get that raise there's gonna be some parting going on in okc.