CUYAHOGA FALLS: Employees of three unions chose security over money and signed contracts that keep the status quo until 2014.On Monday, the Cuyahoga Falls City Council approved a new contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (ASCME). The council also approved amendments to extend contracts for dispatchers and firefighters. They also voted to extend the same deal to the Ohio Police Benevolent Association, which represents police officers.Lt. Chris Martin, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 494, said the firefighters he represents chose to hedge their bet that voters will repeal Senate Bill 5. It is on the ballot as state Issue 2. With a contract in place, if Senate Bill 5 is upheld, the city workers will not be affected by requirements to pay a portion of their health care, a larger portion of their pension and other changes contained in law passed by Republican lawmakers in Columbus earlier this year.Currently, the workers pay nothing toward health care.“Both sides understood that the election threw a different spin into it,’’ Martin said. “If Issue 2 goes down, we’re good. If it doesn’t, we’re hurt.”The terms of the contracts gives the city predictability, said Falls Law Director Paul Janis. And having the contracts of all six unions expire at the same time will help the city. “Otherwise we could have a situation where an aribitrator or concilliator could order us to give raises for one union, which could force layoffs,” he said.Martin said the city has legitimate cuts coming from the state that will impact the budget.“We’re trying to make sure that people understand, with [the election] coming up, that this is another example of us not being a part of the problem, but a part of the solution,” Martin said.