City, firefighters OK new contract

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - After months of negotiating, Dayton firefighters have a new contract with the city.

Dayton City commissioners OK'd the contract at Wednesday night's meeting. Union members approved it last week.

The firefighters will accept wage freezes, outside of a few getting their normal step increases. They'll pay more for health care, give up two holidays, and take a 24-hour furlough day. According to the firefighter's union, the contract saves the city $1.7 million.

The contract comes as state legislators approved the collective bargaining bill that will only allow public workers to bargain over things like wages and safety equipment. Representatives from the firefighter's union said its agreement with the city shows the current collective bargaining process doesn't need to be changed.

"It's kind of ironic the same day we're able to settle our agreement the state says that collective bargaining does not work when in fact it has worked well for 30 years, not only for the unions but for the cities," said Tyler McCoy with Dayton Firefighters Local 136.

The contract goes until May of 2012 and is retroactive to November, when the last contract expired.