Voting is set for Aug. 3-4, and union officials plan to make no official recommendation on whether the proposal should be ratified, said Joe Dwyer, secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters Local 190.
A key issue the two sides were unable to reach agreement on is seniority for promotions or vacancies, Dwyer said. Other issues, such as longevity and pay increases were addressed in what the city termed its "last, best and final" offer Thursday, he said.
Workers' current contract with the city expired June 30 but was extended by mutual agreement to July 31. One offer put forth by the city was rejected earlier this month by union members, who also authorized a strike.
A mediator was in Billings Wednesday and Thursday for talks between the two sides.
The union represents about 340 city employees, such as sanitation workers and dispatchers.
"The tennis ball is in their court now," said Rick Harden, human resources manager for the city.
While acknowledging the city had "made movement" on union issues like longevity pay and wages, Dwyer said he was disappointed no agreement could be reached on seniority. Dwyer said leaders believe seniority should be "paramount in promotions and vacancies."
He said it would be financially advantageous for the city to hire people who would be considered lower on the pay scale for available jobs.
Harden doesn't argue it would cost less for someone lower on the pay scale. And, he said, the city believes it owes its current employees advancement opportunities. However, he said, workers need to be qualified for those positions. The city won't grant interviews to current workers "just because they've been around 20 years," he said.
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