Toledo City Council tables contract vote

9/20/2011

Toledo City Council on Tuesday postponed taking a vote on a concessionary contract between the city and its largest union, AFSCME Local 7.

Council tabled the vote before a packed city council chamber, which was filled largely with union supporters, including city employees and
members of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee. The voted was postponed for two weeks to allow the city time to negotiate with the union.

Council was expected to vote Tuesday at the request of the Bell administration to impose an independent fact-finder’s report that the AFSCME membership rejected.
The city has rebuffed requests from the union of about 850 city service workers to return to negotiations.

The administration has endorsed the fact finder’s recommendation of a two-year wage freeze and larger health-insurance and pension contributions.

Steve Herwat, the mayor’s deputy mayor for operations, has said the city can’t afford any more than is in its present offer with the union. Mr. Herwat said the city is heading for a deficit of $5 million to $8 million in the current year and $10 million in 2012.