Firefighters, city wrestle with issues in contract talks

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Nov. 22, 2002
The president of Meridian's firefighters' union said after an hour-long meeting with city officials Thursday that his members are no closer to signing a new contract.
Capt. Mike Sims said if a compromise isn't reached in the near future, he may be forced to seek the guidance of the International Association of Firefighters in Washington, D.C.
The firefighters' union is trying to rework a 15-year-old contract with the city of Meridian after problems surfaced last year over lack of training, low pay and poor living conditions at two of the city's fire stations.
Sims and other members of Local 52 met with Meridian Fire Chief Bunky Partridge, Ward 1 Councilmen George Thomas and others in a third-floor conference room at Fire Station No. 1.
Thomas said the two sides have agreed on most of the issues but are still working to find common ground on unresolved issues.
Two of the major problems plaguing the negotiations are a guaranteed pay raise for firefighters and a struggle over the number of firefighters represented by the union.
The firefighters are seeking a guaranteed pay raise; city leaders argue that a pay raise can't be guaranteed.
City officials say the firefighters' union should not include firefighters with a rank of captain or higher and those who work in fire prevention; firefighters argue that taking those firefighters out of the union would deplete one-third of its membership.
If a new contract is not signed, the city and firefighter's union will likely continue to operate under the current contract, which was signed in 1988.
The two sides are scheduled to meet again Dec. 3.