Oklahoma City hires private law firm for union talks
National News
Oklahoma City Council members hired a private law firm Tuesday to lead upcoming contract negotiations with the city’s police and firefighter unions.
The firm, McAfee and Taft, was hired in part because negotiations with the unions have gone poorly in recent years.
"It’s just broken,” Ward 4 Councilman Pete White said of recent negotiations with the public safety unions.
Two of the firm’s labor attorneys will be paid $225 an hour each to lead negotiations with the unions for the next fiscal year, according to a contract council members unanimously approved Tuesday.
City officials hope the arrangement helps improve a damaged relationship with the public safety unions.
"It’s just to put a new face on it,” White said. "The people that do the hardest jobs we have in this city are the police department and fire. For the relationship to be this acrimonious ... is not acceptable.”
City attorneys handled past negotiations and will assist with the upcoming negotiations.
Related listings
-
New SEC-Bank of America settlement proposal faulted
National News 02/09/2010A federal judge who rejected the government's first bid to settle civil charges against Bank of America Corp. showed little enthusiasm Monday for a new proposed settlement.U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff sharply questioned the merits of the latest pro...
-
WaMu shareholders get their voice in bankruptcy
National News 01/30/2010Shareholders of Washington Mutual Inc will have a voice in the company's bankruptcy after a judge refused on Thursday to disband their committee, which Washington Mutual said would complicate the case.The U.S. Trustee, who plays an oversight role in ...
-
NM Supreme Court orders arrest records expunged
National News 01/06/2010The New Mexico Supreme Court has unanimously ordered arrest records expunged for 32 people who were jailed overnight because a state judge said they were screaming during a hearing for a convicted rapist.Chief Justice Edward Chavez said Tuesday that ...
Victorville CA DUI Lawyers - Drunk Driving Defense Attorney
The outcome of a Victorville CA DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
If you fail a sobriety test or have a blood alcohol level above 0.8%, you are considered to be driving under the influence in which you will be arrested. During this time you will be read your Miranda rights and it is crucial to exercise your right to remain silent. As they say, “anything you say can and will be held against you in court.” The courtroom takes no mercy on drunk drivers and any statement you make during your arrest will only damage your case.