Lincoln firefighters will have to wait another week for the City Council to vote on their union contract.

The decision to delay the vote passed 4 to 3 before any public input was given.

Reasons given for the delay include a lack of communication between the City Council, the Mayor's Office and the Firefighters Union. Council members were upset about negotiation members talking to the media about details of the discussion.

Two proposals were put before the council. The first plan would allow a cost of living adjustment, or COLA, to be built in to the firefighters retirement pension.

The COLA plan was rejected by the council in October but got another look Monday night.

The Mayor's Office proposed an alternative plan, giving firefighters a four percent raise, which Mayor Beutler says would save the city money in the long run.

However, David Engler, president of the Local 644 Lincoln Firefighters Union says that option was never discussed.

"The four percent raise that is being put out there has not been given to the firefighters so we haven't even talked about that at the negotiating table and so it's kind of an open negotiation that is going on and I believe those things should be reserved for the table. The discussion should take place in the city council chambers and shouldn't be voted on by the city council til we come to an agreement," Engler said.

Councilman Jon Camp said, "I really ask the Mayor and his staff to work with us. And you're absolutely right too Mr. Engler, from a pure negotiating stand point, our team, the city's team should be negotiating with you and your team, so to speak, or your representatives so you don't get too many cooks in the kitchen," Councilman Jon Camp said.

The vote on the firefighters union contract will wait until December 15th.