Contract extenions are approved for firefighters, dispatchers in Cuyahoga Falls.

Cuyahoga Falls city council approved the extensions for the union contracts last night. The agreement runs through December of 2013. A new contract was approved for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees as well.

With state budget cuts in sight, Law Director Paul Janis said the city and unions would like to have "some predictability through 2013 in respect to labor costs."

"It was within the interest of both parties to enter into some agreement that would provide some sort of safety net for both parties," he said.

Right now, union workers do not contribute to their healthcare benefits, but if Senate Bill 5 is upheld by the voters on election day, then any contract reopener after that date would require implementation of out of pocket costs detailed in Senate Bill 5.