The city of Duluth seems to want to get all bargaining units to sign a one-year contract with no salary increases in 2010. So far, police and the superviors have agreed to do so. But two of the largest unions, AFSCME and Fire, have barely made it to the negotiating table.

Both unions say they don't like the idea of a one-year contract, but seem to think a zero percent salary increase is do-able.

"We understand that times are tough, finances are tight and the money just isn't there right now," said Erik Simonson, Fire Union President.

Dave Weisen, who is on AFSCME's negotiating team agrees. "For a one-year contract, no salary increases might be possible, but it would be harder to agree to that for a two or three year contract," Weisen said.

It's unclear if getting employees to agree to no wage increases is why the city is pushing for one-year contracts, instead the usual three-year. I have an email into CAO Dave Montgomery for clarification.

Simonson says the sticking point with Fire will not be wages, but "other issues" that have to do with benefits and staffing.

Fire and the city haven't had talks since July. But they have a session scheduled for Oct. 13. AFSCME has no talks scheduled.