Politics & Government

Contract Negotiations Starting for City Unions

141 union employees' contracts expire at the end of 2011

Contract negotiations are under way for Kent's firefighters' union as bargaining talks are likely to start soon for the city's other three unions.

Bargaining talks started with the Kent Firefighters Association Aug. 30.

Liz Zorc, Kent's human resources manager, said she expects the three Fraternal Order of Police unions representing police officers, dispatchers and civilian employees will be the next group to start negotiations.

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That would leave two unions yet to negotiate before the end of the year: the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, representing police supervisors, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The contracts for all the city's unions, representing 141 full-time union members, expire at the end of the year.

Find out what's happening in Kentwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The matter of Senate Bill 5, now Issue 2 on the November ballot, remains an uncertain variable in negotiations.

"It’s the big elephant in the room," Zorc said. "Is it going to stand up at the polls or is it not? We don't know."

Zorc said, initially, SB5 and its potential to reduce unions' ability to bargain prompted union representatives to try and agree on a contract quickly. Any contracts signed before the measure takes effect would have stood at those terms for the duration of the contract. Now, with its potential repeal at the hands of voters, the unions are in less of a hurry.

"We’re now going into regular negotiations rather than something quick," Zorc said.


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