YOUNGSTOWN — City council voted 6-0 Tuesday to reject the recommendation of fact finder James E. Rimmel for a new three-year contract with the city firefighters union.

The contract would have included a 1 percent annual raise and 1.25 percent “pandemic lump sum” bonuses in the first two years.

Law Director Jeff Limbian said prior to the meeting that the law department was recommending council reject the fact finder’s recommendation so the city could continue negotiating.

“We think we are fairly close on the issues,” Limbian said.

After the vote, Councilman Mike Ray said, “Just because we do reject it, there was some good points, and I hope the administration can move forward with some successful negotations.”

None of the other council members present had any public comments on the matter.

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