The Auburn City Council last week brought to a conclusion one of the most important challenges city government has faced in the past few years with its approval of new labor contracts for firefighters and assistant fire chiefs.

Particularly with the larger firefighters' union, Local 1446, tension had been high. The union and the city had engaged in court battles. They disagreed openly about some changes in the department's structure. And they seemed particularly divided over a requirement in the previous contract that 15 firefighters be on duty at all times, a provision that some city officials blamed for high Auburn Fire Department overtime costs.

Given the differences that had existed, both sides deserve credit for finally working out a deal that really does reflect compromise.

The new deal includes 3-percent raises, but also increases in employee health insurance contributions. And it takes the 15-person minimum down to 14, with the plan to have the fire chief, an assistant chief or fire investigator count toward the 15-person staffing requirement when one firefighter is absent.

It's truly the essence of compromise. The firefighters are getting what must be considered generous raises given the current economic times, but they're going to be paying more for their taxpayer-supported health care. And staffing requirement changes should balance the concerns related to cost and safety.

We were especially pleased to see the lack of any talk about one side winning this battle. In essence, both won, and as a result, city residents are better off.

“(It is) a demonstration of the unions and the city working together, and the unions recognizing the financial stress that the state is in,” City Manager Mark Palesh said last week. “They came to the table prepared to keep those issues in mind.”

Palesh's comments are on the mark, and they should go a long way toward the start of improved labor relations for a vital group of city employees.