While the city has collective bargaining agreements with three of the four unions representing various employees, there is still one thing left to hammer out.

The city and the Fraternal Order of Police have yet to reach an agreement for 2012. New contracts with the unions representing 911 dispatch, the fire department and service employees are all in place with the service employees new contract approved by the city council this week.

The city and the FOP reached an impasse in September. A mediator was brought in with no success. So, the two sides are waiting for a fact finder to be brought in. That person will gather data and present it to both sides, and the city council.

One of the sticking points deals with grievance cases.

 The other three unions have agreed to have a federal mediator handle such cases. The city and the police department currently use a community panel assembled by both sides.

The city wants to use a mediator, while the union wants binding arbitration to settle such cases.

Other issues deal with sick leave and holiday pay.