New Omaha fire contract proposal draws mixed public comments
http://www.omaha.com/article/20121211/NEWS/712119895/1685#new-fire-contract-proposal-draws-mixed-public-comments
By Erin Golden
The Omaha City Council was both praised and criticized Tuesday for its work on a fire union contract that will go to a vote next week.
In a public hearing on the tentative agreement, the council heard from four supporters and four opponents. Most said they had mixed feelings about the long-delayed contract, which includes an average wage increase of 1.6 percent per year and is projected to save Omahas police and fire pension fund $822 million over the next 50 years.
Supporters included two members of the group Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom and a representative from the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
Joseph Young, the chambers director of public policy, said his group is encouraged that the city and the union were able to curtail what could have continued to be a long, drawn-out debate.
FULL story at link.