STANTON

The City Council will consider approving a resolution that opposes a state Senate bill that would allow firefighters and law enforcement officers to use binding interest arbitration. Binding interest arbitration employs a neutral third party to decide contract disputes when negotiations have stalled.

City staff recommend opposing the bill because they say it takes away the city’s power to decide contract conditions. Supporters of the bill say it gives the firefighters and law enforcement officers options when negotiations have failed because the two agencies cannot strike.

The Anaheim Firefighters Assn. is the only department in Orange County to have used binding interest arbitration. A 1998 City Charter amendment passed by voters made it legal for them to use the procedure. The Anaheim firefighters, who have been working without a contract since 1996, first used binding arbitration several months ago, and now await a decision.