Cicilline: union using extortion tactic

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Providence Mayor David Cicilline has accused the city's firefighters union of "extortion tactics" and is blaming them for disrupting a national mayors conference this week.

Vice President Joe Biden and other members of the Obama administration said last week that they would skip the conference to avoid crossing a firefighter picket line.

The union said it would remain silent during the conference if Cicilline agreed not to attend a planned luncheon with Biden. But Cicilline said Monday that he can't imagine not taking part in a conference that his city his hosting.

The conference starts Friday and runs through Tuesday.

The mayor said his latest contract proposal is reasonable for both firefighters and taxpayers. He urged union leaders to put it to members for a vote.