Columbus firefighters recently rejected a three-year contract proposal that would have given them raises of 3.5 percent in the first two years and 3 percent in the final year.
Union members mainly objected to lower pay differentials for paramedics and increases in health-insurance premiums.
More than two-thirds of the members rejected the contract, according to three firefighters, including a captain. It was a surprise to many at City Hall who thought the two sides were in agreement after nearly a year of negotiations.
The existing contract for the city’s approximately 1,550 firefighters expired more than a year ago.
The proposed contract would have required firefighters to pay up to 12 percent of their health-care premiums, up from a cap of 10 percent. Firefighters said a family would pay $175 to $225 per month for health insurance.
The city and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67 are expected to meet with an independent fact-finder next week. That person then will issue a report on the contract proposal. Unless both sides agree on that report, the contract will go to arbitration.
Nichole Brandon, the city’s human-resources director, said she is confident that both sides can reach an agreement. Brandon declined to further comment.