The Kansas City Council is poised to vote May 10th on one of the most contentious labor contracts in recent years. The agreement is with Local 42 of the International Association of Firefighters.
There was a peaceful atmosphere as a Council Committee set the vote schedule. Through weeks of budget negotiations, the Council Chambers had often been charged with tension.
The proposed three-year pact contains no rank and file layoffs, as had been set up in the City Manager’s budget plan earlier this year. Instead, the proposal ratified by union members will reduce the Fire Department through attrition and early retirement.
Seventeen management and civilian jobs will be cut later this year.
City Manager Troy Schulte before the Council finance committee today, gave his summation--“the city is able to capture $7.6 million in permanent savings. It also clears the way for a collaborative approach to pension reform, which we all agree is the best way to deal with long term pension reform in this city.”
Two lesser-used fire stations will close under the agreement, both on the city’s south side.