BARTLESVILLE CITY COUNCIL: Firefighter contract may go to vote

April 22--Bartlesville City councilors rejected an arbitrator's decision on increased wages for Bartlesville firefighters during a meeting Friday afternoon, citing the pay hike would not be sustainable for future years.

The city of Bartlesville and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 200 have been in contract negotiations for the current fiscal year since spring 2017. The fiscal year began on July 1. The two parties were unable to reach an agreement, so arbitration was requested in October.

The firefighters union is requesting a 5 percent increase in pay for 2017-2018 and an increase in medical insurance contributions. The city of Bartlesville agreed to the increase in premium, but disagreed with the 5 percent pay increase.

The city's offer for 2017-2018 includes a one-time bonus of $500, a one-time cost of living bonus between $600 and $1,500, and two 24-hour special vacation days.

On April 11, the arbitration board issued a decision in favor of the union.

During Friday's City Council meeting, David Taylor, third district vice president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Oklahoma, asked the City Council to accept the arbitrator's decision.

"Unfortunately, the city has been unable to honor the wage schedule every year," Taylor said. "And while we recognize and appreciate that the city has made positive adjustments to our wage schedule in the past, the fact remains that even with the adjustments, based on the wage survey conducted by the city -- Bartlesville firefighters remain below median average."

Bartlesville City Attorney Jerry Maddux said the arbitration was unusual because the city's offer was actually more money than what the firefighter's union was asking for during this fiscal year. The concern for the city, Maddux said, is that if the union's offer was accepted, firefighters would be making considerably more than other city employees and the Fraternal Order of Police for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

"I don't think it would be fair to the policemen or other city employees who don't start at that level," Maddux said.

After almost a half-hour of discussion, the Bartlesville City Council voted 5-0 to reject the arbitrator's decision.

Negotiations are ongoing between the city and the firefighters, with a private meeting scheduled for Monday. Maddux said the city will be offering a salary increase at a smaller step level of 2.5 percent for fiscal year 2018-2019, and retroactively looking at the bonus structure and special vacation for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

Ward 3 City Councilor Jim Curd said he hopes the negotiations will continue in good faith.

"Based on listening and with the understanding of our future position going forward, with the understanding that we have the opportunity to give the firemen some raises retroactively to try and move over this impasse, we certainly hope we can address this step increase at a lower level while negotiations are going on," Curd said.

If the negotiations stall, the City Council also passed a resolution calling for a special election where Bartlesville voters would decide between the firefighters union offer of the city's offer for firefighter wages.

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