Calling on Mayor Michael Nutter and his administration to pay the non-disputed amount of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' contract immediately and set aside fifty percent (50%) of the disputed amount within a specific designated category of the General Fund portion of the Annual Budget equally prorated over four years beginning in FY 2014 so that the funds are available for payment in the case that an agreement is reached between the City and IAFF Local 22.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Fire Fighters have been without a current contract since 2009; and

WHEREAS, This matter has been adjudicated twice in binding arbitration, appealed to Common Pleas Court and decided by the Judge, and further appealed by the Nutter Administration to the Commonwealth Court; and

WHEREAS, The non-disputed amount of the Fire Fighters' contract should be paid immediately as an act of good faith for the men and women who risk their lives for the safety of the citizens of Philadelphia despite having no contract for more than three years; and

WHEREAS, Having fifty percent (50%) of the non-disputed contract amount set aside and accounted for in equally prorated amounts over four years beginning in the FY 2014 budget will allow the City to pay in the event that the final contract is ruled on and awarded finally to the Philadelphia Fire Fighters without the need for the City to cut programs or increase taxes to fulfill its legal obligation; and

WHEREAS, The contract that is currently being disputed is set to expire in July 2013; and

WHEREAS, It is financially irresponsible to not include and set aside the non-disputed amount of the contract that has gone through two arbitration proceedings into the FY 2014 budget; and

WHEREAS, City Council must approve a budget and set a millage rate for property taxes by June 30, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Without providing for the financial impact of the non-disputed amount of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' contract to the City, Council cannot responsibly approve a budget or correctly set a millage rate; now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby calls on Mayor Michael Nutter and his administration to pay the non-disputed amount of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' contract immediately and set aside fifty percent (50%) of the disputed amount within a specific designated category of the General Fund portion of the Annual Budget equally prorated over four years beginning in FY 2014 so that the funds are available for payment in the case that an agreement is reached between the City and IAFF Local 22.

End