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Firefighters say negotiated contract stalled; council tables formal adoption until September
Summary
Representatives of Michigan City Local 475 told the council the negotiated 2026 contract (including a 2% raise) was approved by the city's labor team and the union but was tabled at council because the exhibit A documentation had not been delivered; the union urged immediate memorialization while final issues are resolved.
Chris Buzdas, speaking for Michigan City Firefighters Local 475, told the council the union had ratified a 2026 agreement that included a negotiated 2% raise and other benefits but the council tabled the measure because Exhibit A was missing from the packet. Buzdas said members had followed the required negotiation steps and described delays as disrespectful to the firefighters working without the finalized contract.
Council attorneys and staff said communications were ongoing with the union's attorney about one inclusion that had not been negotiated; both sides are trying to finalize the exhibit and hoped to return the item to the council as soon as that single open issue is resolved. Attorney Harris explained the parties remain in contact and expected a phone meeting shortly to finalize the document for the next agenda.
