CNBNews

By Bill Cleary

The turmoil caused by the contract negotiations between the City of Gloucester City and the firefighters union, Local 51 and 251 that has disrupted this community for over  three years came roaring back yesterday in full force.

PHOTO:  October 2007during the Heroes to Hero Scholarship Run local firefighters and their supporters stood at Johnson Blvd. and Nicholson Road to show their displeasure with contract negotiations as those participating in the run jog by. The 2010 Heroes to Hero Run is this Saturday. See 2007 album

Everyone had thought this matter was settled on June 30 when both sides announced a verbal agreement had been reached.  But two weeks ago following up on a rumor ClearysNotebook broke the story that the agreement reached 90 days ago still hadn't been signed by either party.

Yesterday the union withdrew their offer. I asked Mayor Bill James today what happened? 

 Mayor James said the union had asked for additional clauses to be added to that agreement. “They wanted a no layoff clause.  We are in the middle of one of the worst recessions in recent history so there is no way that clause is going to be added." He said union members know that firefighters and police are being laid off all across this state. 

 The mayor referred further questions to City Solicitor John Kearney who has been talking with the union’s lawyer, David Wolf, of North Jersey for weeks trying to finalize the agreement. 

 Kearney writes, “I would say that the issue holding this up is the minimal staffing language the union wants. It is not appropriate and will result in the loss of all the savings provided by the other agreed upon terms.”

I spoke with Fire Chief Bob Williams, one of the union negotiators, earlier this evening and asked for their side of the story. I had also contacted Jerry Hubbs, also a union negotiator via email yesterday for a response.  

 Williams said, “union members were putting together a press release about the impasse as we speak. It will be released to the media on Friday.”   

June 30 amid much fanfare both sides released prepared statements that an agreement had been reached after two years of off and on meetings some of which were tumultuous.  That verbal contract was reached the day before 8 firefighters were going to be laid off.

To avoid the layoffs the unions consented to no salary increase in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 as well as capping vacation buy back and the elimination of holiday pay. Additionally, sick time buy back will be eliminated for the life of the contract. One of the key provisions in the agreement was the FMBA consent to eliminate longevity and roll it into the base salary. 

If the union releases their statement to ClearysNoteBook it will be posted here upon receipt.