Firefighters: City can afford to give us raises

The city of Havre is in good financial shape and can afford to give firefighters raises.

That's the opinion of Havre Local 601, International Association of Fire Fighters.

The city and the union are going to arbitration to settle a dispute that has lingered for more than a year.

Last week, Mayor Tim Solomon said the city and union disagree mostly on the city's financial shape and its ability to give raises.

"We believe we provide a valuable service to the public, one that is appreciated by the citizens that pay the bills," the union said in a prepared statement.

"We believe that the city is in strong financial shape," the union said in a release issued by D.J. Olson, local president. "We worked with the city when the outlook was gloomy but that is no longer the case."

The city and union have gone through mediation and fact finding during the past year. Unable to reach a deal, they are now in arbitration.

The state provides a list of potential arbitrators. The union will eliminate one, then the city will eliminate one until the last person standing is the arbitrator.

There is no timetable as to when arbitration will take place, the two sides say.

"We love living in Havre but the city should not be taking advantage of that fact," the union press release said. "They should be willing to pay wages comparable to what other cities pay their firefighters, so we can stay and raise our families here."

The union has been working without a contract for nearly a year.

The city has reached agreement with two unions representing nonuniformed employees, but has failed to come to a deal with firefighters and police officers.

Solomon said police are waiting for the city and firefighters to reach a deal.