GARY, Ind. (AP) -- City firefighters chose unanimously to retain their previous strike authorization vote, and the mayor says he would not continue to negotiate their contract until the threat is withdrawn.
''It's going to get interesting,'' David A. Buls, attorney for Gary Firefighters Local 359, said Friday.
Mayor Scott King said a strike would be illegal.
''I am not negotiating this way,'' he said after halting talks on Wednesday. City attorneys will go to court Monday to seek an injunction to stop the local's threatened walkout, King said.
City officials last week offered police a 20 percent raise _ 5 percent in 2006 and 7.5 percent in each of the following two years, contingent on a 90 percent property tax collection rate.
Earlier, the city offered firefighters a 5 percent raise annually over three years, which prompted their strike vote.
But King said, ''I was prepared to offer them 20 percent over three years when I learned of this action.''
Indiana law prohibits strikes by public employees, King said.
The firefighters local has no plans to walk off the job, Buls said.
''We still have some things to do before we go out on strike. We're going to begin to review our legal options. I'm researching arbitration,'' Buls said.
Firefighters requested federal mediation last month.
Buls said by the end of 2005, Gary firefighters will be paid 35 percent less than firefighters working for comparable fire departments.
FOP Lodge 61 President Del Stout said there are several noneconomic issues that remain unresolved, but talks last week focused on money for officers.
A two-year wage freeze, imposed because of legal delays in property tax receipts, frustrated police officers and firefighters.
''I recognize public safety hasn't had a raise in two years, and I'm determined to fix that,'' King said.
Information from: Post-Tribune
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
