AURORA — The City Council on Monday agreed to continue negotiations with police and firefighters over a new contract that called for about a 5 percent cut in pay and benefits.
Members of the police and firefighters unions called the cuts “unacceptable.”
Don James, president of the Aurora Police Association, was pleased with the council’s decision to return to the bargaining table but said he was frustrated that police officers and firefighters are being targeted for cuts.
“The proposal that was given to us was absolutely ridiculous,” James told the council.
About 300 police, firefighters and their supporters showed up at the council meeting Monday night wearing red T-shirts that read, “Support your police and firefighters as if your life depended on it.”
A deadline for the city’s final offer was Friday, but the unions have not yet voted on it.
Negotiations appeared headed toward arbitration before the council met behind closed doors Monday afternoon and decided to keep the talks alive. Negotiations can still go to arbitration, although both sides can continue to negotiate until that happens.
City Council members noted that Aurora is facing hard times financially. The city closed four of its seven libraries at the end of last year and laid off library workers. Also, city employees are required this year to take two furlough days.
“We can either make cuts or lay people off,” said Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer.
Randy Rester, president of the firefighters union, called the city’s final offer “absolutely wrong.” He said the union had made “off-the-record” offers in negotiations to freeze pay and defer certain benefits.
“We were giving back things,” Rester said.
Councilman Bob FitzGerald said the city has had to make difficult decisions in balancing the budget, as have other cities due to the slumping economy.
“Unfortunately, we can’t print money,” he said. “We don’t want to lay off any more people.”
City Attorney Charlie Richardson said this year’s collective-bargaining process with police and firefighters has been the most challenging he has seen.
“These are tough economic times,” he said.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
