COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman's $13-million solution to the city's budget deficit was to ask union employees to give up pay increases in 2009.
What if some were to go along with the request and others weren't willing?
NBC 4's Patrick Preston took a CLOSER LOOK at the city's budget woes Thursday.
The Fraternal Order of Police weighed in on the mayor's proposal and said it was unacceptable in the midst of ongoing negotiations.
Preston spoke with the Columbus Firefighters Union President who said he wasn't sure whether it would be legally possible for members to give up their contracted raises.
"I'm asking for everybody to make the sacrifice. This is a time when we all have to step up," Coleman said.
The clock continued to tick for Columbus city workers unions, including police and firefighters, to get back to the mayor. They have until Friday to communicate with Coleman on his proposal.
"Don't take your raise and you spare your job. It's simple," Coleman said.
What wasn't so simple were the ramifications if some of the city employees' unions were to agree to give up raises and others won't.
Would those workers who gave up their pay raises still be protected from layoffs?
"I'd have to think about it. We'll see," Coleman said.
Coleman wasn't willing to make such a guarantee Thursday and said his offer was intended for all of the unions.
Coleman promised more layoffs and service cuts if the unions didn't agree to give up their pay increases.
Even then, limited service cuts still may be inevitable.
While negotiation on a new police contract continued, FOP President Jim Gilbert said the timing of the pay-raise proposal doesn't work.
"This is completely unacceptable with how we have negotiated in the past with the city," Gilbert said.
Coleman said Thursday the city didn't budget for police raises in 2009. His office and city council members were among those who voluntarily gave up pay raises in 2009.
He hoped more will join him.
"I have to close the budget gap. I don't have a choice," Coleman said.
When Preston asked Coleman whether he knew of any other cities where a pay-raise elimination proposal worked with unions.
Coleman did not offer any examples.
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