By Steven Alford
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Talks turned tense Thursday as city staff and Corpus Christi Firefighters Association officials met to negotiate in a more than yearlong firefighter contract dispute.
Parties from both sides met at the union’s headquarters to discuss results of a fact-finding report that essentially sided with firefighters’ demands.
City officials said the report didn’t take their proposal into consideration and was financially irresponsible.
But union officials accused city staff of using incorrect numbers in their counter offer.
“It was good to get back to talking; we can’t have a contract unless we go to the table,” said Kerry Eyring, lead negotiator for the firefighters association. “I just wish it could have been a little more productive.”
Some of the firefighters’ biggest concerns include paying more for health coverage and securing wage increases.
Since 1994, when the city created separate health plans for police officers and firefighters, firefighters have paid higher premiums than police officers. The amount is now almost double.
While a police officer with a family would pay about $196 in biweekly premiums, a firefighter with a family pays about $333 biweekly for health coverage. However, according to the fact-finding report, firefighters have a higher insurance usage rate when compared with police.
Union officials proposed a mirrored health plan identical to police while city staff returned with an offer that could raise their rates by nearly 14.6 percent.
Both sides also sparred over wage increases. Firefighters have operated on a static contract since it expired in August and have gone a year without raises. Under a new agreement, fire officials have requested a zero pay increase the first year of a three-year contract and a 4 percent increase the following two years. City officials proposed a zero percent pay increase for three years, to which fire officials countered with a plan calling for a zero pay increase followed by 3 percent raises the next two years.
That will have to be taken back to City Hall for discussion, city officials said.
After hours of deliberation, both sides agreed to continue discussions at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the association headquarters, 6014 Ayers St. The meeting is open to the public.
Though no agreement was reached, city staff said Thursday’s talks appeared to be headed in the right direction.
“I think we have moved farther along than we ever have before,” Assistant City Manager Margie Rose said.
Copyright 2012 SCRIPPS Howard Publications