Unions balk at concessions

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Toledo's unions on Tuesday turned down Mayor Mike Bell's request to take concessions as the city tries to wipe away a nearly $50 million budget deficit.

Because of the union's refusal to work with the Bell administration, the mayor is looking to shed upwards of 300 employees.

During Tuesday's council session, which was planned to finalized next week's agenda, several unions sat in the chamber.

In the first moments of the meeting, Councilman D. Michael Collins requested a chance to speak, but he didn't speak to his peers. Instead, he addressed the union leadership that was sitting in the audience.

"I plead with you," the councilman said. "Please, please, please come to the realization that we are either going to all save our city together or we are going to lose our city collectively."

Collins said unions have to agree to concessions of increasing health care premiums and eliminating pension pick-ups. Otherwise, the city could be forced to turn power over to the state.

Toledo union reps like Jim Martin of Toledo Firefighters Local 92, said they have given millions of dollars in concessions in previous contract negotiations. They added that it's time for the rest of the population to give in tax increases or additional fees.

"But when they say everyone needs to step up, they are focusing on everyone that have already stepped up," Martin said. "It's time to appreciate what the city employees have done and start looking at that this is a problem that everyone needs to get involved in. It's going to make some unpopular decisions."

In executive session after council's meeting, members of council were going to discuss whether they wanted to consider declaring exigent circumstances. By declaring exigent circumstances, the city could demand certain concessions from the unions despite contracts that are in place.

The move could be fought in city court.

Another measure being discussed to help the Glass City fix its $48.2 million deficit is an event tax.

In Mayor Bell's proposed budget an 8-percent event tax could be added to the city charter for tickets purchased for sporting events and concerts held at places like the Lucas County Arena and Fifth Third Field, Imagination Station, Toledo Zoo, Valentine Theatre and the Stranahan Theatre.

Some county officials, though, wonder if the move is legal.

According to Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken the county prosecutor's office said Tuesday that Toledo can't tax a county-owned facility.

"We do want to be cooperative with the city where we can be," Commissioner Gerken said. "We recognize some problems, but it's also important to let them know that No. 1, I think it's bad policy. It's up to council to figure out their own opinion on that, but also let them know we don't think it's legal."

Gerken said the event tax isn't a good solution to fix Toledo's budget.

Mayor Bell said he's just throwing out ideas to help solve the budget problems and that the only thing that matters is closing the deficit.

"I realize that everybody's fighting everything that we're bringing up, and I anticipate that there will always be those battles," he said. "But that doesn't necessarily mean we lost the battle. It just means there are other concerns that are being put out there and we'll hopefully be able to address them."

The county prosecutors ruling is only an opinion. The city could still go ahead with the tax but it would most likely be challenged in court.

The city's budget woes have a lot of residents concerned about what's next in Toledo's future. Late Tuesday afternoon city council members reached out into their communities for input on how to plug the deficit.

With so many possibilities on the table residents want to make sure the best options are being laid out.

Four city district budget meetings that are open to the public in the coming two weeks have been planned. The purpose of these community meetings are to get everyone on the same page when it comes to the city's multi-million budget gap.

Residents who attended the district budget meeting Tuesday evening at Grove Patterson Academy had to literally work in teams and brainstorm to find solutions.

"Being a city worker we're also taxpayers, so don't chastize us," said Jeff Hauter, who is also a union member who believes they can't take any more.

"We've given up monetary increases to keep benefits," he said. "Now they want us to concede more. We can't."

Resident Doris Holewinski wants to take a closer look at those benefits union workers receive.

I'd like to see an apples to apples comparison of someone working in the private sector as police and fire," she said. "Before they tax us, I think someone else needs to give a little bit too."

Prior to the district budget meeting, residents were asked if they had budget solutions.

"I do not," Hauter said. "All I know is I didn't get us into this and you didn't get us into this."

"I wish I did, but I'm not that versed in everything that's