PLATTSBURGH — City councilors firmly rejected an offer from the Fire Department union regarding a change in health-insurance benefits.

Using strong language, councilors said the union leadership is not acting in good faith toward taxpayers, fellow city employees and even their own union members.

“This union is holding the rest of the unions in the city and the city hostage,” Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 4) said.

The city is seeking to self-fund its health maintenance organization plan as recommended by a task force made up of council and union leaders.

The move could save the city more than $700,000 per year and would reduce the amount employees who pay a portion of their healthcare would have to pay.

Four of the five city unions have agreed to the change, except the Fire Department union.

Firefighters delivered a proposal to the city this week that said they would accept the HMO change only if the city grants them a 3-percent raise retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year and extends their expired contract for one more year.

The fire union contract expired Dec. 31, 2007. The next bargaining session is schedule for Oct. 7.

Councilors and Mayor Donald Kasprzak opted to put the union’s proposal on Thursday night’s agenda for a vote.

The council was unanimous in rejecting the union’s offer.

“I am discouraged and disgusted over this,” Councilor Chris Jackson (D-Ward 6) said.

Jackson said he has tried to be a friend to the Fire Department, noting he brokered an agreement for Plattsburgh State to provide the department funding for equipment.

“I am in favor of a paid Fire Department, but not paid at any cost,” he said.

“As firefighters, they should know something about burning bridges.”

Calnon said the union has the legal right to negotiate the HMO change.