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2 (37 <br /> strike . Now that the Union has decided to strike , the <br /> Council has no choice but to reconsider its position to <br /> a point less liberal than that suggested during the all - <br /> night meeting . <br /> The Union has , in much of its publicity , made a number <br /> of statements about the group retained by the City to <br /> conduct negotiations and offer advice in many other <br /> areas of employee relations . This firm , Industrial <br /> Employers and Distributors Association , has been re - <br /> tained by the City for almost a year and one half and <br /> payments by the City are a matter of public record <br /> and have been included in the City Budget since 1971 . <br /> The Union states that the City use of this firm is <br /> somehow improper and that the employment of profes- <br /> sional negotiators is unfair . We , the Council , are <br /> not professional labor negotiators , just as we are not <br /> professional engineers , financial analysis or adminis - <br /> trators . We seek advice in many areas and apply it to <br /> the needs and desires of the citizens of Redwood City . <br /> The City ' s negotiators do not lead the Council ; they <br /> are merely our spokesmen and advisors . <br /> If, however , as the Union wants you to believe , it is <br /> unfair to utilize professionals , we should examine the <br /> Union side of the bargaining table . The Union has been <br /> represented by four full -time negotiators whose salaries <br /> are paid by the employees , and the amounts paid by the <br /> employees for this service must be substantially greater <br /> than that paid by the City for its negotiators . Further , <br /> the Union claims to be the largest in the United States <br /> representing municipal and other governmental employees . <br /> What is unfair , in the eyes of this Council , is the sug- <br /> gestion that the City should do anything different . <br /> Mr . Bolton and others from our negotiating firm are <br /> spokesmen for the City Council , and have kept the <br /> Council completely aware of all of the issues of this <br /> negotiation . We have stated to them our position on <br /> all issues and it is abundantly clear that our instruc - <br /> tions have been carried out . This Council intends to con- <br /> tinue to establish the City ' s policies during and after <br /> this strike . <br /> 1/8/73 <br />