Providence finance committee chairman: lack of financial documents in firefighter contract
By Kirsten Glavin
@kirstenglavin
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – It looks like the end may not in sight for contract negotiations between Providence firefighters and the city.
"They didn’t do the financial homework while they were negotiating," said finance committee chairman, John Igliozzi.
The Finance Committee pumped the breaks Thursday on the five year agreement reached in September. According to Igliozzi, there is a lack of financial documents to prove the contract won’t hurt taxpayers. This, coupled with Providence’s current pension problems, could make it another financial burden. The current pension system is 74% under-funded.
"I think it would be financially irresponsible for the council and the committee – and to the public – if we take up a document that first of all isn’t finished, isn’t complete," said John Igliozzi. "The pension system is in crisis, and as the shortfalls occur every year, the taxpayer has to make up that shortfall.”
Another concern; the chairman explained a five year contract has never been done before in Providence.
"If the city of providence enters this five year contract without a pension reform, then the city is basically foreclosing on any type of meaningful pension reform for the next ten years,” he said.
The new contract with the firefighters was not discussed at Thursday’s finance committee meeting. According to Igliozzi, it wasn’t even placed on the docket.
ABC6 did reach out to Mayor Elorza’s press secretary, as well as the Providence Firefighters Union for comment. They did not return our voicemails and messages Thursday night.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016
