Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Council approves appropriations for police and fire as labor talks continue; unions say bargaining insufficient
Summary
Council approved several additional appropriations to cover police and fire salaries, overtime and benefits while union representatives criticized the timing and adequacy of negotiation meetings and demanded fuller bargaining; council members cited revenue shortfalls and a 2% across-the-board offer tied to concessions.
The Michigan City Common Council on Dec. 2 approved a series of additional appropriations to cover police and fire salaries, overtime and benefits for 2025, even as firefighters and police union representatives urged stronger bargaining and faster resolution of outstanding contract issues.
Council sponsors characterized the appropriations as internal transfers to pay wages for time already worked. "These are simply movements within the fund or the budget," Councilman Dabney said during the presentation of three line‑item transfers; the council later approved the three resolutions unanimously.
Union and department speakers used the public-comment periods to press the council and administration. Christopher Zbudis, who identified himself as representing Michigan City firefighters (Local 470/475), told members that the unions had…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
