Mayor facing tough talks on union contracts

MAYOR NUTTER better enjoy his victory lap for successfully getting state budget relief while it lasts, because he has a major headache coming his way - union contracts.

Contracts for the city's four municipal unions expired June 30. But due to the budget uncertainty, no new deals have been struck. But now, the city's fiscal situation is clear and negotiations can proceed.

Contract talks weren't pretty to begin with. Because of the city's fiscal pressures, Nutter eliminated money set aside for raises. He also is counting on getting $125 million in contract savings over the next five years. And Nutter wants to shift new hires to a lower-cost retirement plan.

Unions have balked at both those items. Union leaders yesterday said they still expect to get better terms for their workers.

"His proposals were unbelievable," said Bill Gault, president of the firefighters' union.

Union leaders also say that they helped wrangle votes for the city's budget-relief legislation. Pete Matthews, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees' District Council 33, which represents the city blue-collar workers, said he expects to get credit for that effort.

"We did a heck of a job helping the city to get the 1 percent," Matthews said, referring to the state approval of a temporary sales-tax hike.

"We're looking to get back to the table and get some consideration for what we did."

-Catherine Lucey & Chris Brennan