Lawrence and firefighters union still at odds over pay increase, other contract elements

Representatives for the City of Lawrence and the local firefighters union continue to disagree on how much of a wage increase is needed to keep firefighter pay competitive, and contract negotiations could soon require mediation.

Negotiations between the city and the union, Local 1596, are governed by a local resolution that states that whenever a contract is negotiated, the negotiations are automatically considered to be at an impasse if they aren’t concluded by July 1. City and union representatives have been meeting since April, but have yet to agree on a compensation plan and several other contract provisions. The parties were therefore required under the resolution to request the services of the U.S. government’s Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.