Oklahoma City council sets election on firefighters’ contract

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma City Council has set a Jan. 10 special election for voters to decide on a contract for the city's firefighters after an agreement could not be reached between the city and the firefighters' union.

The city says declining sales tax revenue made it difficult for both sides to reach an agreement this year. The city says it's asked for two concessions that the International Association of Firefighters Local 157 rejected: eliminating overtime pay for firefighters who are on personal leave and consolidating emergency services dispatchers.

The local's president, Scott VanHorn, tells Oklahoma City television station KOKH (http://bit.ly/2asADCi ) that the firefighters have already agreed to take a reduction in insurance benefits and to not seek a raise.

Voters will pick between the city's proposal and the union's proposal.