A new contract for Los Angeles city firefighters may be in sight, as an independent "fact-finder'' proposed a pact similar to what city police got, a union leader said today.

David Hart, the fact-finder for the Employee Relations Board released recommendations this week, following a five-month impasse, said Pat McOsker, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City.

"(The proposed contract) is something that we probably can live with,'' McOsker told a reporter.

McOsker said Hart found "humane" cuts that the union could get behind, and he found the city the savings that they've been after.

UFLAC's bargaining team is scheduled to vote on the proposed contract Monday. The city's negotiators will present the same deal to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and key members of the City Council on Tuesday. Both sides will then meet for talks afterward.

Neither side is legally bound to accept the recommendations of the fact-finder, who is merely an adviser. UFLAC, which represents 3,500 firefighters, has been without a contract since June.

McOsker said the fact-finder heard arguments from both sides before backing UFLAC's demand for a contract similar to what the city granted police officers in October.

The deal with the Los Angeles Police Protective League essentially eliminates overtime pay but retains base pay.

"It could've been worse,'' McOsker said. "I can't imagine that the city would be so mean-spirited that they wouldn't believe we deserve the same contract as police officers.''

Should negotiators ultimately fail, the City Council could unilaterally impose terms and conditions of employment for UFLAC members through an ordinance. Such a contract, however, can be enforced only until June 30, which is the end of the fiscal year.

McOsker said he is optimistic it won't come to that.

"The city's negotiators have played an unbelievable game of hardball with us,'' he added. "We hope that they'll do the right thing.''

To reduce a growing budget deficit, the city wanted to cut $52 million from the fire department's budget, including $13 million in personnel costs.

To make up the other $39 million, Villaraigosa in August approved temporarily taking 15 fire trucks and nine ambulances out of service.

The city's budget woes have grown since then, and it is unclear how that may affect the talks with firefighters.