Collective bargaining was briefly in the spotlight during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Democratic Councilman Glynn Hines read a proposed ordinance that would prevent the city from funding union activities for public safety employees.
The ordinance was sponsored by outgoing Republican Councilman at-large Marty Bender. A similar proposal failed in July 2014 after it was deadlocked in a 4-4 vote.
Tuesday’s measure passed its first reading with six votes for further discussion.
Republican Councilman Mitch Harper was one of those six, though he suggested tabling the bill until Jan. 1 when the newly elected City Council assumes office.
Councilman Hines said bringing collective bargaining to the meeting at the eleventh hour was a bad idea.
“I think that, again, the introduction of a legislation of this nature at this time is just not good council business,” said Hines.
In the end, the council voted 5-4 in favor of tabling the bill for an indefinite time.
