May 21st, 2014 by WCBC Radio
Despite efforts to avoid negotiating through the media or public- both the local firefighters union and the Cumberland City Council discussed the failure to reach a new contract agreement- and it doesn’t sound as if the sides are getting any closer. Both sides have been in negotiations since January to reach agreement for a new contract. Firefighters have worked without a contract since 2011. The crux of the issue is the city’s intentions to switch its medical insurer for city employees, a move the city says would save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Local 1715 wants those savings to be used for the fire department to maintain staffing at current levels. If the city is unable to switch insurance providers- City Administrator Jeff Rhodes said the city would be unable to provide raises for city employees in the coming year. In a double whammy, those employees would be paying much more for insurance.
.jpg)
