By Doug Caruso
The Columbus Dispatch
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus firefighters union has scheduled a contract vote right before Ohioans vote on a law that would radically change the state’s collective-bargaining rules.
But the union’s president said there’s no offer on the table; he’s just doing it to be prudent.
Jack Reall, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67, said he must notify members at least 15 days before a contract vote. Even though there’s no proposed contract and the union’s contract doesn’t expire until the end of May, he wants to be ready if something did emerge ahead of the Nov. 8 election.
“This is protecting our position,” he said. “I didn’t want to come up against a deadline and the city says, ‘We want to offer you a contract extension’ and we have no way to vote.”
The union notified its members on Thursday that it would hold a contract ratification vote on Nov. 6 and 7. The notice reads:
“L67 is currently in discussions with the City on the possibility of getting a contract extension/new contract. NO tentative agreement has been reached at this time. If we are unable to come to an agreement, the above voting dates will be canceled. If we can reach a tentative agreement, dates for the special meetings will be forthcoming.”
Chester C. Christie, the city’s human-resources director, said he is unaware of any negotiations between the city and the firefighters union.
“If anything has been broached by IAFF, it’s not something I’m aware of,” he said. “We’ve not been engaged in any discussion with them. There’s been no bargaining.”
But the union has had “informal discussions” with the mayor’s office, said Dan Williamson, Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s spokesman. He refused to elaborate.
Reall said he brought up the possibility of an extension with city officials several months ago when the referendum was approved for the ballot, but that there has been little discussion since.
“It’s more or less, ‘If we did something, what are you willing to do? Or where are your priorities?’ It’s not, ‘Here’s an offer,’ ” Reall said.
The firefighter contract runs through May 31, meaning a new contract now would come nearly seven months early.
Ohioans will vote on Nov. 8 on Issue 2, a referendum on Senate Bill 5, which mandates that public employees pick up a greater share of their health-care and pension costs and gives management the final say in contract negotiations.
A Quinnipiac University poll released yesterday showed likely voters rejecting Issue 2 and Senate Bill 5 by 25 percentage points. That’s the outcome Reall and others in public unions hope for.
Reall said Issue 2 is only part of the reason he scheduled the vote.
“Part of it is, anytime the economy is the way it is, both sides would like to have something in place that allows you to plan.”
He pointed out that city leaders will begin their budget work this fall not knowing what to expect in terms of firefighter contract costs after May.
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