FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Two Fort Wayne City Councilmen could be spearheading an initiative that could lessen t the collective bargaining power of the City of Fort Wayne’s municipal unions.
Councilmen John Crawford, R-At Large, and Russ Jehl, R-District 2, are withholding are believed behind possible legislation.
They have indicated to 21Alive that they will withhold comment until May 9.
Councilman Geoff Paddock, D-District 5, did go on record about the collective bargaining issue. Paddock cautions that the municipal labor organizations have already conceded benefits during last year’s budget negotiations. He is reluctant to ask unions to make further cuts.
Jeremy Bush, president of the local firefighter union, tells 21Alive he is not sure what the end result of the potential ordinance would be, but is aware it could be a cost-cutting measure coming from the fiscally-conservative Councilman Crawford.
Any ordinance is expected to be introduced May 13 at the City Council meeting.
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