Tosa holds off on union contracts until repair bill acted on

Wauwatosa will not ratify contracts with its unions, even though the potential savings negotiated by city administrators and union representatives could be greater than what would be realized by the budget-repair bill, as proposed by Gov. Scott Walker.

More than 100 people crowded into City Hall tonight, and nearly all were there to lobby city officials to put off approving union contracts until the state Legislature votes on the financial aspects of the budget-repair bill.

The sentiment of the crowd, as well as hundreds of calls and e-mails directed to city officials, led the majority of the council to vote against approving contracts with the fire, dispatcher, clerical and public works unions. A police union contract was not on the table.

The council also put a vote on hold as to whether to increase nonrepresented employees' health care premium contribution.