El Paso firefighters prepare for May 9 referendum

April 10--El Paso firefighters who are seeking higher wages and less expensive health care insurance spent about $83,000 on polling and consultant fees in preparation for the referendum that will be on the May 9 city election ballot, according to a report filed with the city clerk.

The referendum is a step in the collective bargaining contract the firefighters have with the city when the two parties fail to break an impasse.

The report was filed under the name "Yes! Yes! For El Paso First Responders" on a form titled political expenditures.

Joe Tellez, of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 51 (IAFF), which represents El Paso's firefighters, confirmed Thursday that the bargaining unit hired a consultant Murphy Nasica & Associates of Austin to conduct polls and other work for the IAFF related to the referendum.

"The polling shows that the public supports us," Tellez said.

Tellez also confirmed that the IAFF continues to negotiate with the city, and that a breakthrough could occur before the May 9 election if the union's members accept the city's latest offer.

"I have taken the city's recent offer to the members, and it will be up to them to accept or reject it," Tellez said.

Besides the wages and premiums for health care insurance, the May 9 ballot will include a proposition for drug testing that firefighters are not disputing. The city wants firefighters who test positive for drugs to be fired, and the IAFF wants the firefighters to be offered rehabilitation.

"We're not fighting the drug testing issue, but it's going to be on the ballot anyway," Tellez said.

In February, city officials said the requests by the IAFF will cost the city $13 million, but Tellez said the union did its homework and knows that the city can do better than the previous offers.

"Everything is going forward," Tellez said. "If we achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations before May 9 election, and reach an agreement with the city, then the results of the election will be moot one way or another."

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at 546-6140.

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