Article Last Updated:
Monday, November 11, 2002 - 3:42:24 AM MST

Police, fire unions stalled in talks
State cuts hinder raises, Bridgeport says
By AARON LEO aleo@ctpost.com

BRIDGEPORT

Unions representing the city's police officers and firefighters both are deadlocked in talks for new contracts.

Leaders of the two public-safety unions have wrangled with city negotiators over pay increases and insurance benefits since their last contracts expired 18 months ago.

The unions claim the city is balking at handing out equitable raises and refuses to contribute a fair share to their health insurance plans to offset soaring premiums.

But a shortfall in anticipated state aid for Bridgeport is a prime reason the city has been unable to reach compromise deals with the unions, and officials don't want to raise taxes to help pay for new contracts, said Joseph Gresko, spokesman for Mayor Joseph P. Ganim.

The standoff has sparked a series of firefighter picket lines in front of City Hall Annex, the site of Ganim's office, and other municipal facilities. A demonstration outside the annex Friday drew many supportive honks from passing vehicles.

"If we had the money, it wouldn't be a question," Gresko said. "We're not raising taxes for any reason. We're going to have to do more with less."

But Roger Kergaravat, president of Bridgeport Firefighters Association Local 834, is skeptical, and he wants the city to prove its cash-strapped claims.

Three months ago, the firefighters' union requested financial documents from the city detailing its current fiscal hardships, Kergaravat said. The union's attorney received the documents last Monday, he said.

The attorney has sent them to the International Association of Firefighters' headquarters in Washington for analysis.

"Had they just handed over the report when asked, the whole situation could have been avoided," Kergaravat said.

As time passed, he said, the fire union began to feel the city was being deceptive in its negotiations.

Kergaravat said he does not know any details of the documents.

If the city's claim is true, the union will work with city negotiators on a settlement, he said.

Gresko said he hopes to start talks before Thanksgiving, to give the union time to digest the information.

The city couldn't produce the fiscal documents right away because they cover three years' worth of financial information, he noted.

The city has always supported the police and fire departments, especially with equipment, Gresko said.

Over the past several years, the city has purchased police motorcycles, a mobile command vehicle, a prisoner transport van, 14 new cruisers and three new fire engines, he said.

But the new equipment doesn't compensate for years of steadily declining raises, Kergaravat said.

"We've made concessions. We've taken numerous zeroes [for raises]," he said.

Union members received an average 2.85 percent annual raise under the previous contract, which covered four years.

The Fire Department union has 338 members, 298 of whom are eligible to vote.

The firefighter union has not voted on any of the city's proposals in the latest round of negotiations.

No talks were scheduled as of Thursday, Kergaravat said.

Negotiations generally take several years because of their complexity, according to Gresko. "We're confident this will get worked out," he said.

But in October, members of the Bridgeport Police Union Local 1159 rejected a proposed contract. There are 435 sworn officers eligible to vote.

Under their previous pact, police union members received a 3 percent retroactive raise, 3 percent in the first year and 2.5 percent each remaining year.

David Riehl, the police union president, could not be reached for comment.

Aaron Leo can be reached at 330-6222.