City, firefighters try to reach deal

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo’s bravest will be turning up the heat on City Hall during the latest contract negotiations. They have been going on for close to 12 years now, but both sides are hoping scheduled meetings for Monday will help start the process to finally come to terms on a new contract.

Members of the Buffalo Firefighter’s Union are in a contract stalemate with the city that has stretched more than a decade. Mayor Byron Brown says the city made its first offer to the union six years ago, but the union president says he has yet to see a complete contract.

Mayor Brown said, “We've made a number of proposals to the union. I wonder how many of those proposals have actually gotten to the rank and file firefighter so they can evaluate what has been put on the table for them."

Buffalo Professional Firefighters Association President Dan Cunningham said, “They have not given me a complete proposal at all. So, if he has one, ask him why he didn't give one to the firefighters at the table."

Both sides are clashing over city residency, minimum manning, political appointments on the division chief level and pay. The union claims the city has canceled scheduled meetings for months. The city negotiation team has opened several dates for the rest of this month in an effort to cooperate.