MUSKEGON, Mich. - Attorneys for the city of Muskegon and its firefighter's union are reviewing a proposed five-year contract that would end the possibility Muskegon would pay Muskegon Heights for fire protection services.
It's the result of nearly a year's worth of negotiations between the city and union that includes months from earlier this year when the two sides weren't talking.
"There's been a lot of meetings, and a lot of hard work over the last few months," said Mike McGahan, trustee with IAFF local #370 and a member of the bargaining team for the union.
McGahan and Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson confirm the city and union are close to a new five-year contract. Details of the agreement won't be available to the public until it's reviewed by city commissioners during a future work session. However McGahan and Peterson say the proposed agreement would result in the city hiring several new firefighters.
For months the two sides seemed to be getting further apart. There were heated city commission meetings and social media posts that lead to stalled negotiations.
That stall lead the city of Muskegon to ask neighboring cities how much it would cost to get fire protection from their fire departments.
Muskegon Heights was the only city to send Muskegon an offer. But Muskegon and Muskegon Heights couldn't agree on terms.
That move by the city of Muskegon alone was enough to increase tension between Muskegon firefighters and city hall.
"It reached a point, it was heated," said McGahan. "We just needed to communicate, and we reached that point. It's a good working relationship now."
Both parties are working under a Dec. 31 deadline. That's when the current contract expires.
If the language is approved by attorneys, it could be ready for votes by firefighters and city commission in October or November.
"It still focuses on the protection of the citizens and business, while also focusing on the sustainability of this department moving forward in a city that's growing," said McGahan.
Proof the city and union are close to an agreement appeared on the city's career page with the posting of a new firefighter position.
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