CALEDONIA - The village is proposing wage freezes for firefighters in 2010, according to its initial proposal to the firefighters union.

The proposal also includes employees paying an increased insurance premium, from paying

7 percent to 15 percent, increased emergency room co-payments from $25 to $100 and increased deductibles from $1,000 to $1,500. Numbers on how much that might save the village were not available Thursday.

"It was pretty much what we expected," said Jason Hempel, president of the firefighters' union.

Representatives of the firefighters union met Thursday with the Village Personnel Committee to exchange initial proposals Thursday afternoon at the Village Hall, 6900 Nicholson Road.

Firefighters asked for an hour of optional workout time Monday through Saturday and increased sick time, from 12 hours a month to 24 hours.

In September, the City of Racine agreed with its firefighters' union to pay $6.50 per hour for up to 100 hours for firefighters to work out while they are on duty in addition to their hourly wage.

The Caledonia firefighters union didn't ask for pay raises.

"We understand it's a tough economic time," Hempel said. "We are willing to talk (with the village)."

The village faces a budget deficit of $440,000 for 2010.

The village also proposed early retirement incentives for employees at least 50 years old and with at least 20 years of service, including a $10,000 cash payout and two years of paid continued health insurance.

Village employees took 2.5 percent wage rollbacks in May, going back to 2008 wage levels, which they'll get back beginning in January.

"We want to help all the village employees," Hempel said. "That's why we took the wage rollback to begin with ... to make sure every village employee stays employed. We're going to do our best to work with the village to help reach the best outcome for everyone."

The village met with four unions on Wednesday and Thursday - general employees, professionals, highway and firefighter unions.

Village Administrator Tom Lebak said the village has yet to set a date to meet with its remaining three unions, including police personnel.