City Council Majority Leader Terrence M. Hassett is calling on Mayor David N. Cicilline and Providence Firefighters Union President Paul Doughty to meet directly, for as long as necessary, to resolve the years-long contract dispute that recently has worsened.

“I am encouraging the two sides to meet face-to-face, for as long as it takes, to resolve the outstanding issues that have divided administration and union officials for nearly seven years,” Hassett said.  “This has dragged on far too long.” Hassett observed that, “Those who are benefiting are the attorneys who litigate instead of negotiate.”

“I have asked the mayor and the union president to meet and talk about the contract differences and map out a means to resolve the dispute.  I think you need to put the two in a room and let them talk about how to resolve this,” Hassett stated. He explained that correspondence detailing this request had been hand-delivered Tuesday to both Cicilline and Doughty.

Notwithstanding his request, Hassett emphasized that the Council is not taking a side in the dispute. “The Council has no desire, nor is it under its purview, to take part in contract negotiations. However, we are poised to assist in any way possible to achieve a resolution—but only in the role of a facilitator. To that end, we will be monitoring the ongoing negotiation process to ensure it progresses in a positive direction,” he said.

Hassett said the Council is assigning a staff member to monitor negotiations.