Talks Tuesday were lengthy, and later characterized by Mayor Don Plusquellic as 'difficult'. But negotiators apparently found enough common ground to keep 40 of the city's officers from being let go this weekend.
Nearly 500 members of the Fraternal Order of Police are voting on the proposal through Friday morning.
Union President Paul Hylinsky says each side relented on demands to strike a deal, but because of past history, the trust factor remains weak.
PAUL HYLINSKY: "I don't think we'll ever agree with the city how much money was involved here. I think that these were just passionate issues that were holding up a deal."
The union says its' compromise includes furlough time, plus concessions of longevity pay and certain overtime payments.
The city - according to Director of Labor Relations Patricia Ambrose, wanted to secure a three year deal, but acquiesced to the union's call for a two year pact.
She also elaborated that the `no layoffs' clause for next year is not as absolute as the F-O-P indicated.
PATRICIA AMBROSE: "2011, with no layoffs - but that is a conditional `no layoffs', that has financial benchmarks as the barometer about whether or not layoffs can occur."
Benchmarks that would include voters authorizing the mayor to transfer an estimated $4 million from school construction revenue... to pay for safety forces. School leaders have endorsed the plan, and the union says it will as well - provided the membership votes to approve this agreement.
And both sides are awaiting results of a neutral party's fact-finding report about the department and city finances, which could mean minor changes to the terms of the agreement.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
