And in Contract News...

Arbitration is coming according to this e-mail:

• So this is straight from Greg Bella's mouth. The city has come back with a new financial offer for the contract. They offered 10% for 5 years with no retro or pay raise for the first 2 1/2 years. The city wants the money from that first 2 1/2 years to fund the pension up to date. Union states they will be calling for a vote for arbitration.

Does Greg want to reply to this e-mail? In any case, arbitration looks like a way better deal now. As was explained to us the other night, the Arbitrator has to base his decision on the past few contracts and the comparables for Departments of this size. Off the tops of our heads, that means:

• a 4-year-contract, not 5;
• no changes to discipline;
• an average of 3.5% a year;
• retro;
• no work schedule changes;

Shortshanks isn't going to suddenly give in and figures a roll of the dice with an Arbitrator can't hurt his chances. Morale is shot, the Superintendent is incompetent and hamstrung, the exempt camps are hunkering down for the long haul - what's there to lose?