City, firefighters close to a new contract, official says

After coming to terms on overtime, payment for fire clothing and raises for emergency medical technicians, the Havre firefighters union and the City Council finance committee have hit a roadblock: 1 percent.

The finance committee Tuesday night proposed raises of 4 percent in the upcoming year, and 3 percent for the following two years for union members classified anywhere from probationary firefighter to captain.

The union, Local 601 of the International Association of Firefighters, didn't budge from what it proposed at last month's negotiations. Members told the finance committee they would a...