Tuesday's 6-1 vote ends years of negotiations
It was more than a year ago when the City Council took over negotiations with the union from Mayor Jim Suttle. On Tuesday a deal was finally passed on a 6-1 vote.
Councilman Franklin Thompson said he expected more from the union and cast the lone no vote. "I feel the union plays hard ball a little too much," Thompson said.
The deal runs through 2014. It guarantees wage increases and requires firefighters to pay for more of their health insurance and pension benefits.
New hires would have to work longer to draw full retirement benefits.
