The city has asked the Nebraska state labor court to delay a ruling on whether Omaha’s firefighters are entitled to a retroactive raise for 2009 as the two sides continue to negotiate towards a new contract. On Dec. 22, the local firefighters union filed a similar suit against the city, asking the court to determine pay raises for 2010. The Omaha Firefighters Local 385 has asked its attorney to oppose the city’s request for a delayed ruling. Last fall Mayor Jim Suttle and the union agreed to pay freezes in 2009 and 2010 — saving an estimated $4.5 million — if a new contract could be finalized. If no contract is in place and the court rules the firefighters are entitled to raises, the city could be forced to pay out between $10 and $14 million in back pay.
City seeks delay in firefighters pay raise ruling
Updated