AUBURN – City officials will continue their discussions with the police union on Friday, the first meeting between the two since July.

“We’re just going in with an open mind and we’ll see where that takes us,” Police Union President Chad Syphers said. “Right now, it’s the only thing we can do. We owe them at least one more chance to see where they want to go.”

Syphers said the union officials will seek mediation with the state Labor Relations Board if they cannot settle the union’s contract.

The city’s contract with the police union expired June 30. Union leaders say a proposed increase in monthly health insurance premiums is the biggest sticking point. Those higher costs, coupled with no cost-of-living wage increases for most city employees, would mean cuts in take-home pay.

Police began growing beards in defiance of city policy to protest the contract negotiations. They also began attending City Council meetings to protest the lack of a contract.

The two groups last met July 25, discussing the contract for several hours. Adams briefed councilors about that meeting at an Aug. 4 executive session.


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