Article: Bloom against fire pact // Union's help on health care costs sought

Ald. Lawrence S. Bloom (5th) Monday urged the City Council to reject the proposed firefighters contract and instead seek greater health care concessions.

Bloom, Budget Committee chairman, unveiled concessions he said could save $20 million to $34 million a year and would help offset a projected $100 million budget shortfall.

Under Bloom's plan, city employees would pay doubled or tripled deductibles and $21 to $56 in monthly premiums for dental, eye and general health care.

"One simple way we can reduce a big chunk of our budget gap is to ask our employees' unions to pay a fair share," Bloom said. "We must let our employees' unions know that they share a responsibility with city ...

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