TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - The City of Toledo and Toledo Firefighters Local 92 met on Thursday with a state mediator during a fact finder session, with both the city and the union presenting their cases on what they believe to be fair terms for a contract settlement.
More than 400 firefighters are represented by the union, and many of those members gathered outside the environmental services building to voice their concerns about the process.
That includes concerns about potential concessions in wages, health care and pension benefits.
"1985 we made 27,000 runs. Last year we made over 56-thousand runs, twice the amount, we haven't seen that many pay increases." says Capt. John Vedra.
Many firefighters were concerned about limiting testimony to one day.
"There's a time to be expedient, but there's also a time to be exceedingly thorough, and this is a contract affecting the livelihood of our entire firefighting family." says Jeff Konigseker.
That family came in force in hopes of a deal being reached sooner rather than later.
"This hopefully sends a message, we're united, and the city will sit down and talk to us." says Jeff Ronstadt, Executive Board Member with Toledo Firefighters Local 92.
When the fact finder issues a report on recommendations for a new contract, both union members and city council need to approve it to end the stalemate.
The city and union will be back before a fact finder on March 1 and 2.
Copyright 2012 WTOL. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and Toledo News Now, a Raycom Media Station. 
