City's Firefighters Settle

Ann Arbor's Firefighters' Association have voted approval to a contract offer from the city, thus nullifying the possibility of binding arbitration. Details of the contract were not released pending review of the contract by City Council at an executive session scheduled for next Monday prior to the regular council meeting. The association vote on the new year contract was not revealed, but one spokesman said it was "pretty strong in favor of it." The contract the firemen have been working under expired July 1, and the association filed with the state for binding arbitration. Both the association and the city had chosen their representatives ' to the arbitration, but had not agreed on an arbitrator when the agreement was reached. If the contract is approved by City Council, it will leave only the Police J ficers Association and smaller units within the Pólice Department with unratified contraéis. Robert Guenzel, assistant city attorney who is heading up the city's negotiating committee, said talks are proceeding with the POA, but he did not indicate if a settlement may be forthcoming. The POA also has filed with the state for binding arbitration, but no arbitrator has been agreed to as yet. Like the firefighters, the policemen's contract expired July 1. Negotiations are also continuing with the limited duty and communie ation , workers in the pólice department, who are being represented by the Teamsters I Union. The largest single contingent of city I workers, represented by the American Feder ation of State, County and Municipal Employés Local 369, settled with the city last month about a week after their contract expired, also on July 1.